Confessions of a Peculiar Person

Catch-Up

2010-02-15T11:43:00.001-08:00

Guess what:

I'm addicted to knitting

and I might end up in a band

Phwoar.

2010-02-06T11:36:00.001-08:00

I finally started to realize what it is I've been wanting, what it is I've been doing wrong this whole time, and how I was going to change it - all to find out that my timing is horrible, that I'm probably far too late, and that I completely deserve it. I always thought I was playing it careful, but I've been playing it completely wrong, and now I have no idea what to do. I guess it's time to find my cave for real this time.

Or shut my face up and go make some bread. Yeah, that sounds good. :D

On Valentine's Day

2010-02-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

How does the observance of a day of martyrdom evolve into a day of romance? Well, there are a couple historical-based theories involving secret marriage performances and the misinterpretation of poetry, so that's understandable. (Shush-don't call me a nerd.) But then how does a celebratory day of romance turn into a once-a-year show of affection?
Where Valentine's Day is concerned, I would much rather spend the entire year doing little romantic things for one another than to expect an expensive piece of jewelry or a reservation at an upscale restaurant for one night. It makes me sad to think of all the people who expect these great and expensive things, who depress themselves if they are disappointed. Why do we represent something as immaterial as love with the most material of gifts? I just want to live every day with my significant other so that we don't feel we need a holiday to recognize how we feel about each other.
'Nuff said.
So there, to all you who said I was a love-hater!

Hum

2010-02-01T19:40:00.000-08:00

Breakfast on the hood and then you
Get behind the wheel
Grey houses pass, their shadows cast
Upon our broken deal
Raindrops fall and catch the sun, all
Curious and bleak
And you don't speak, so all that's left for
Me to do is think

Would you feel my touch and know how much
It means to me?
Could I look into your eyes and cry
Believe me?
Could I waste a day or two beside you
Wondering
What happened then?

Your smile lights a place inside that
I don't always feel
But it tears a piece away to know
That it isn't real
I've always given truth to you, when
Truth is what you ask
And though I'm right here next to you,
you think I'm somewhere else

Would you feel my touch and know how much
It means to me?
Could I look into your eyes and cry
Believe me?
Could I waste a day or two beside you
Wondering
What happened then?
Will it happen again?

Sexycoat

2010-01-06T18:43:00.001-08:00

So you know that coat I've been working on for a few years?

VICTORY!!!

I so finished it. Here it is:

I'm just too happy.
Now to work on the hoodies that were supposed to be my siblings' 2008 Christmas gifts.

Trebuchet, Bold and Gray

2009-12-17T09:17:00.000-08:00

I had my final Final yesterday! I love school and everything, but I was soooo glad to get this semester done and over with. It was just too much with work and music and everything. I have too much for this next year that I am going to focus on - writing music, designing clothing, my trip to the U.K., my own photography, etc. - so I probably won't be going back to school for a while. I have finally come to terms with myself and the fact that I don't function the same as everyone else, so I'm just going to do things my way, even if it takes me forever to do it.

I'm looking at my fingernails and how long they are, and it makes me happy at first, because my hands don't look half so manly as they do when my nails are short, but then I look at them more and it makes me sad, because it means that I haven't played guitar in a long time. Granted, I have had lots of school stuff to work on, but I really should make more of an effort to find time to play.

I got a free Christmas tree! I really liked the real tree I had last year, but having a real tree is pretty much a mistake if you have cats. Like I do. Of course, cats will climb any tree, whether real or fake, but real trees means hundreds of pine needles all over the floor with every mad antic of a cat. So a coworker gave me a fake tree for free! Apparently she changes her tree every year and has too many. It's a slimline, but I really like it. I haven't noticed any broken or missing ornaments, and I haven't caught a glimpse of a cat dragging off one of my feathered birds either, which is huge.

And now, for your viewing pleasure- Since it's been so long and you are feeling so deprived, here are some photographs I took for school on SLC urban minimalism. Enjoy.

P.S. any of you folk who live near Magna (or who would take a trip to Magna for an excellent reason such as this), I suggest you visit the Kiwi Bakery. New Zealand food. Oh delicious. Eat there. Just do it.

sniff

2009-08-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

So, at work I got moved to a new cubicle - cubie no. 7 in 4 1/2 years - so I'm back in the room I was in the first 2 1/2 years of my employment. I went into the bathroom, which I haven't been in for 2 years, and guess what?

It still smells like My Little Ponies.

I have got to figure out why.

(P.S., you do know what I mean when I say it smells like MLP, right? That sugary-sweet smell that came with practically all soft plastic toys made in the 80s? Seriously guys.)

And, specifically for YOUR enjoyment (or purely my own), a photo depicting the ultimate mesh of My Little Pony and 80s film:

12:14

2009-08-07T20:47:00.001-07:00

12:14 at the kitchen table
A glass half empty, cracked and casting shadows
Across my hand

A steady humming from the T.V. set
Reminds me I've been talking to myself and
I'm not good for conversation

I used to like the thought of being alone
But the feeling only lasts so long
And now the feeling tells me I was so wrong

(chorus)
Help me see
Help me believe
I'm looking for you, but please
Look for me
(repeat)

Starlight leaking from the window pane
A million tiny faces kissed my tangled hair
And I was more alone

An invitation from a static song
A frozen moment and I swear I felt your heart beat
To the breaths I would take

I used to like the thought of being alone
But the feeling didn't last too long
And now the feeling is telling me it's time to walk on

Help me see
Help me to believe
I promise to look for you, but please
Look for me
(repeat)

It isn't sane but the mind knows nothing
And when my heart finds you, I'll let it explain
I hope it can explain

12:14 at the kitchen table
A glass half empty, cracked and casting shadows
Across my hand

Yellowstone

2009-07-15T19:10:00.001-07:00

Here are some pics I took while my family was at Yellowstone over the weekend:

So...I'm a little freaked out by the Geico commercials. Why do the people smile after they realize they are being freakishly stalked by a wad of cash with ridiculously large eyes? Does no one else find that disturbing? I mean, how does a dollar bill dial a phone number anyway?

New Wedding Pics

2009-06-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the photos I took for my friend's wedding reception:

It was at a family home, so there wasn't a variety of backgrounds, but I think the results turned out pretty nicely, eh?

This One's For You, Brian!

2009-06-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

So over the weekend I had a family reunion and I mentioned a scientific study I had read a while ago, on the 5-second rule, to my cuz Brian. I couldn't remember the results, so he wanted me to let him know what I figured out. He said, and I quote, "You should blog about it. Because you would." It appears he was correct. This one's for you!

High school senior Jillian Clarke conducted a scientific study during a six week internship at the food science and nutrition department of the University of Illinois. It basically consisted of dropping food on the school floors for different timed intervals to see when the food began to collect bacteria. Now, I am a 5-second rule observer, so I was a little disheartened to find that they discovered a transfer of germs before 5 seconds. However, what needs to be taken into consideration, in my point of view, is the floor upon which the food is being dropped. Obviously. In another study I looked at, they tested their food subjects on floor surfaces that had been generously tainted with monstrous amounts of E coli and salmonella for the purpose of the study. Of course those food pieces are going to be contaminated instantly, silly people. But in Ms. Clarke's study, the floors she tested were swabbed beforehand and found to be surprisingly clean. The bacterial numbers were too small to count. Now, would that make you sick? Probably not. However, all floors are not created equal.
Let's also look at the type of food being dropped. Of course nobody is going to eat a scoop of ice cream that has fallen out of its cone. (At least I hope not). But what of other foods? In a seperate study (Yes, this seems to be a fad among young scientists) they dropped apple slices versus skittles on the floors of their school cafeteria and recorded the results. The apple slices showed no signs of bacteria for about 30 seconds, while the Skittles remained "clean" for about 5 minutes. (Again, another clean cafeteria floor? That's the most unexpected thing I discovered during this whole research thing.)
All in all I guess there is no solid answer. To be on the safe side, health experts advise to err on the side of safety and don't eat anything that has touched those nasty, germ-laden floors. Bacteria is everywhere, it's true, and many harmful germs can be found on a number of surfaces. Are all surfaces guilty of harboring E coli and salmonella? Heavens, I don't know. But I think I'm still going to eat that stray skittle anyway. Especially if it has fallen on a school cafeteria floor, apparently.
I'd also like to mention that Jillian Clarke won the Ig Nobel prize in 2004. It's a parody award granted for "research that first makes you laugh, then makes you think." How cool is that?

And that's my random post for the day.

Oh, OOOHHH I'd like to rant really quickly, before I take my leave, about how disappointed I am that the newest and final Georgia Nicholson book does not come out until October. Want to know how disappointed I am? SO DISAPPOINTED! Gah! I can't even talk about it. Good night.

A New One

2009-06-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

Today I got called "Jerk Store".

Yeah, I don't know either.

I also photographed that wedding reception this past weekend. I got some really nice photos out of it, but I think I need a better camera. Any suggestions? I was thinking Canon 40D, anyone ever use one? I'll post some of my edited photos once I've got them all finished. :D

Back in Black!

2009-06-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, it feels good to be back, in my blog, doing blogging things. Like blogging. :D In some black clothes!

So I'm photographing another wedding tomorrow. Well, not the whole wedding, just a reception. His photographer couldn't make it to this one. Which is kinda lame, right? You're a couples' wedding photographer, you should be going to every part of their wedding - it's your job. Well, they almost dropped the other girl and hired me on to do all their sessions, but they didn't. And that's ok. :) However, I've been recruited to photograph another couples' wedding in the hopefully near future...the bride's dad is causing some trouble and they don't have a date anymore. So sad. But I'm rooting for them!
I've updated my online portfolio if anyone would like to take a look:

http://www.artbistro.com/member/BellaPazzo/albums

Hopefully you'll be able to see them - I had someone say they couldn't get into my albums. That is, if you want to see them. So I've mapped out the rest of my educational career, and I'm a little disappointed. Because of the way prerequesites and semester-specific classes work, I will only be able to take 3 classes for the next 3 semesters to graduate, and then I will have one class left - ONE CLASS - that I won't be able to take until the following spring, so I won't be able to get my degree until 2011. *crycrycry* BUT it's all good. :) This way, I will be able to pay for the semesters much more easily, and we have to admit, at least I am getting my degree (tiny little associates degree it may be) and I am going to do what I love. I was quite worried for a while, because I have been planning all this time to be able to support myself by myself, and knew it was going to be a difficult thing, but I kept forgetting that one day I will be married, so I won't have to go it alone. O_o at least I think I'll be married, haha.

So I think I'll post some pictures up here. I went to Midway with my buddy recently and we hit Cascade Springs and Bridal Veil Falls. Yay, artistic opportunity

There you have it. I'm off to buy a wedding gift. Joy of all friggin joys.

I Really Wanted That Thing

2009-03-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

That's a line from the song I was just listening to. Nothing special.

I have had so much orange juice, you would not believe me. Well, you might. It hasn't been SO much. But it's been a lot. A gallon maybe. I've been sick, it's all I've wanted.

So I've been on this creativity kick. (Noooo, really?) I like writing. I wish I had good ideas like my mom. Well, I think I have good ideas, just not the skills to put everything together into something interesting. I've been putting something together for my mom's birthday though, so I might learn stuff. :D

Lake Powell is in four days! I'm so excited; I've never been before! I just hope this cold clears up first. I need to load up on the beef jerky though - otherwise it won't feel like a camping trip. Can't have that!

My mom told me about a contest today, so I will be designing a wedding dress in the hopes of winning a trip to New York and maybe opening a few doors!!! I love designing clothes, so I'll see what happens here.

School is moving along. I'm having lots of fun, but I can't wait for it to be over. I'm planning a trip to England (Ireland, Scotland...) at the end of the summer, so it will be nice to have my extra time back so I can get a second job or something. I'm trying to fly my mom out with me too. I guess ever since I got my passport (when I was going to China), it's been burning a hole in my safe drawer. :D I have to go SOMEWHERE. And why not to the lands of my ancestors? I feel a need to go there anyway, so I'll keep hoping and saving. My grandma told me about our distant relatives in England who would let us stay with them. Bonus!

I'm also thinking about buying a house at the end of the year. That $8000 back from the government sounds pretty nice. :) I just need a small one. I'm sure I could afford a 30 year mortgage, if I can find a nicely-priced one. I've already seen some for sale, so hopefully I can find one in Midway or something later in the year that I could afford. I'm really excited about this; I've been wanting to get away for a while now. I just like to be out taking care of myself, you know?

OH! I'm so excited, my cousins want me to do their baby photographs! She'll be born very soon! They want me to do the really cute stuff, like the tiny baby feet in the daddy's hands and stuff - this is awesome! I have to buy stuff though! I want these to be perfect! I guess if people want me to keep taking care of their photographic needs, I could go into that business. :D I do love taking pictures. And I'd rather work for myself than anyone else anyway. Ooooh yay. That's another reason I really want to go to Europe. The photographic opportunities will be amazing! Wish me luck!

Phwoar!im cookies.

2009-03-12T21:05:00.003-07:00

My computer had a virus!
Then my uncle fixed it.
Then my family's computer had a virus!
And then my uncle fixed it.

I shall make have to make him cookies.

So the one time my work finally agrees to put me into another position (I have only been trying for about 2 years now with no luck, because I would take too much training, and they don't have the time for training. Humbug.) and they tell me that I can't do it part time. Well, 3/4 time is what I'm doing. Anyway, that was not a nice trick to play on me. But it's going to be ok because I am going to Lake Powell in a few days and I won't have to deal with them anyway. I'll get to camp and play and boat and they will be stuck sitting between grey walls with nothing but ornery branch managers and motivational posters to keep them company. That sounded bitter. Do I sould bitter?

I'm coming down with something. You should see me right now, I have a wad of tissue stuffed up my right nostril. Haha I still find it funny, despite how crap I feel.

So I read two Shannon Hale novels in two days. I think I'm becoming a fan.

P.S. The title of this post was supposed to just be "Phwoar" but it somehow ended up like it is now. I decided to keep it that way. "Phwoar I'm cookies" (ish) sounds so much more interesting.

Hello!

2009-01-28T20:48:00.000-08:00

I miss blogging! School and work make it kind of difficult. But school is awesome and work is not bad. I get kind of annoyed though, because I have a class with this group of kids fresh out of high school who think they are hilarious and just know everything about art and say "like" every other word when talking to each other. :D Not nice of me, I know, but it's true. I still get proposed to every other day at work, but at least the guy's stopped with the secretary thing. And I now have nothing else to say but that I could really got for some waffles right now.

Achtung!

2009-01-06T09:10:00.001-08:00

Ish. This is not a warning, but more of an alert. It has come to my attention that the office gadgets cannot be found on the Office Humor Blog, to which I looked and agree. The layout has changed since I was last there. :( Anyway, here is a list of really cool toys for your office/cubie that you might find interesting:

http://www.gadgetvenue.com/10-cool-office-desk-security-gadgets-09040839/

Except for that lipstick stun gun. While I would love one of those, it doesn't seem too office-friendly. I also found a website that has all sorts of geeky gadgets (some that are listed in the above link):

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

!!! Yay !!!

There's A Spider On The Wall...

2009-01-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

...And I'm afraid to kill it. Spider-squishing is a mood thing. Some days I'm not afraid at all (like a month or so ago, when I saw a spider on a box above my head, stood up, took off my shoe, and initiated a powerful WHACK that startled my coworkers), and some days I am. Days seem to affect my mood, and today is a Monday. Since it has not been proven otherwise, I will be forced to assume that deep down in the heart of the most dreaded day of the week, lies the evil and sinister power of FEAR.
It's kind of funny though, since I'm not usually afraid of spiders, and here I am, inching my way past it, since I can't give it a wide berth, given the narrowness of space between the wall and the cubicles. I figure it will eventually make its way up the wall and behind the clock, or make it to the little mysterious hole that seems to serve no purpose. Or maybe overnight it will find its way into my plant, as that seems to be a favorite spot among spiders. My old pet spider Houdini used to live there. Haha ok ok, on with the post.

Now, I know that a lot of the time, at least with the younger generation, we tend to get on the internet out of habit, and then poke around not knowing what to do. I figured I'd provide some alternatives to my above-mentioned verb "poking around" and list some productive things I sometimes do online while I wait for things, like my notes to get signed, or my reports to load (which, surprisingly, can take a reeeaaaally long time). And if nobody cares, this is here for my benefit anyway, since it's easier to have one place to go when I need something to do. :D

1. www.freerice.com
This is so much fun! You go to this website and you test yourself on subjects like math, geography, language - all while donating rice to third-world countries for every correct answer (For free! The sponsors pay for it). You may not be geeky like me, but I love learning these kinds of things, and I now know practically every country in the world, and it makes me feel smart. I like to feel smart.

2. www.chordbook.com
Since I'm not good with knowing what notes and chords sound like in my head, I can't just take a break, pull out my guitar and write them down while at work. So I go to this website and figure what I hear in my head, then write it down to put into a song later. It's pretty dang awesome.

3. http://puzzles.about.com/library/java/blfourrivers.htm
This is just a fun, mellow game I like to play. Kind of like Mah Jongg.

(P.S. my coworker just squished the spider. O_o) haha

4. http://obscuresound.com/
I adore this blog. If you like finding obscure music like I do, you will adore this blog too. (Note: I directed you here once before, when I mentioned Katzenjammer.) :)

5. www.literaturepage.com
Books! I love to read. This is a good place for lots of classics, so if you're into classics, heeeeere ya go.

6. http://www.splicemusic.com/
Make your own music and remixes! Pretty fun.

7. http://www.officehumorblog.com/
The Office Humor Blog! Not only does this website offer awesome pranks to pull, office-related poetry, jokes, and other stories, but it links to many other fun places, like websites that sell amazing office-worthy toys like a USB-powered plastic cannon, an air-gun, mugs, stickers, and document stamps (My favorite: "I don't have time to read this crap!")

And there you have it. My favorite productive internet time-wasters. Enjoy!

So I started on the hoodies I was going to make my siblings for Christmas. The first one is coming along really nicely, but my mom and I can't figure out how to use the button-holer. (Well, she can't remember, I just have no idea. :D) But I googled it today and I think I may have it. Bwahaha! I still need to finish my coat! But of course....all that's left are the buttons. Haha.

So I'm about to go on my lunch break over to Borders to pick up one of three books I need: The complete works of Jane Austen, Book 2 of the Gentleman's Trilogy, or Book 2 of A Song of Ice and Fire. I'm just not sure which. D: Waaauuugh, decisions! I only have one coupon right now!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2009-01-02T10:57:00.000-08:00

I'll admit, I have never been one to care much for resolutions. I figure, why wait until the end of the year to make changes in your life that are obviously important enough for you to want to change, when you can pick any other day of the year that is SOONER than December 31st?Why wait? And we all know that virtually nobody keeps their new year's resolutions anyway. So I figure I might as well not make any at all, because heaven knows I'm not motivated. -But- I have changed a little bit these past few months. My motivational level has risen, my temper has straightened a bit, and I'm ready to make some changes. On New Year's Eve I didn't really officially make any resolutions, (I kinda slept straight through the new year... :D ) but thinking about it, I would like to:

1. Get to bed earlier. It even says so in the scriptures! Go to bed early and get up early because it's good for your health, and it gives you more sunlight hours, which is also better for your mood! Plus, getting up earlier would leave me more time for these next two:

2. Go to the temple more often, and

3. Get more excercize. I don't mean go to the gym all the time, but I'd love to run in the mornings, or do my yoga video. Plus, I really need to start going to the temple. I just got my recommend recently, so I can, but now I need to go.

4. Cook more.

5. Sew more. I've been doing these ones more often recently, which has been an immense home skills builder, and has made me more confident in my future.

6. Read more good books. I have also been doing this one for a few months already, but I would like to continue it.

7. Build my talents. I have been losing some of them, and I don't want to. Hopefully I can find time in my soon-to-be crazy schedule. (School starts in a week!)

8. Get on a budget!

9. Do well in school, and keep going!

So that's what I have gotten myself into for this next year. I'm thinking I can pull it off, if I manage my time well. Wish me luck! I'm really serious about these. :D

And maybe I'll mention here what a dork I am. I have been using this awesome moisturizer for about a month or so now, because it actually moisturized my face, was oil-free and all that good stuff, but I realized just the other day that it is actually a cleanser. I don't know how I missed that, but I did. So I've been putting cleanser on my face, my skin soaking it in all night and day, but the funny thing is that it didn't even ruin my skin! It totally acted as if it were a moisturizer. Calamity averted.

Has It Really?

2008-12-29T07:07:00.000-08:00

It has! It's been over 2 weeks since I last blogged! Egads!

I can explain. I tried to log on several days while at work, (and I always forget to get on at home) but every time I tried, an error message popped up saying the internet was down or something, even though it clearly wasn't, because all my other websites were running. Anyway, I was afraid blogger had been blocked! But I tried again today and was pleasantly surprised. I have been wanting to talk about my Christmas prank and how beautiful it was!

So a few weeks ago I had someone over in servicing distract my coworker for a few minutes so I could get onto his computer and steal an embarassing picture I saw there the last time I was messing with it. Unfortunately it wasn't there any more, but he did have one that I could use. So, I emailed it to myself to use later. Now, remember how he thinks I am his secretary? Well, he kept asking me to send out Christmas cards for him, so I saw my opportunity. I took the picture of him, added a Santa hat and the leg lamp from A Christmas Story, the words "Merry Christmas from Chris Bangerter" and VOILA! Instant Christmas card. I then proceeded to put a copy of this card on the desks of....everyone on our floor.

This was the night before Christmas Eve. Yeah, I was a little bummed that I had to work on that day, so I thought this would brighten my spirits a little. It really worked. When I walked in that morning, I could hear people talking about A Christmas Story and the lamp and everything; it was really funny. Then when he came in, I heard someone tell him thank you for the card and laughing, and he was saying, "Oh...you're welcome!" and then I heard him laugh and say "Oooohhhh" when he saw it. He came over to his desk and started talking about how it wasn't nice of us to do something like that to him, blah blah, and who was it, etc. I told him he really should have seen it coming. He agreed, and I was much pleased. And for all of you out there who don't believe me, no, I do not like him. If you knew him like I do you would understand. Haha. He told me once that I have to clean up after him because I am a girl. Yeah.

So Christmas was really nice too. Everyone really liked the gifts I got them, so that was good, and I got some awesome stuff too! A really nice set of pans and some new stuff for my kitchen and bathroom! I didn't have time to make the hoodies like I wanted, but I'm going to start on them soon. I did make the bags, and they all liked those. Lisa especially. O_o I was almost weirded out by how much she liked hers. Plus we had yummy Danish rice pudding for breakfast. :D At least I think it was Danish.

I am finally selling my old car, and I decided that with the money I get for it, I am going to buy me some nice bedroom furniture! I'm so excited! I can get the bed, three chests of drawers, (two large, one small) storage unit, and end tables I want from Ikea with money left over to spend on a rug, mirror, or whatever else I want! I'm going to be remodeling the whole room, (it will be two rooms in one) so this is way exciting for me. I'm also registered for school in the spring, and I'm going to get a loan so I can get it all done the rest of the way from there, then transfer to UVU probably to get my bachelor's. It will be very nice this upcoming year, to not think I'm being such a loser and actually getting things done!

I thought I'd have more to write about, but I'm all out of ideas. Everyone have a fun and safe New Year!

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth

2008-12-12T07:41:00.001-08:00

And that's what I shall do today. I will fill this paper (blogspace) with the breathings of my heart (some quotes, lyrics, exerpts that I like) and why I like them. Others' words help me bring out my own, I guess. :D

I'll start with something I just read in Paradise Lost, spoken by the character of Satan:

"The mind is its own place, and in it self Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n."
We all know Satan to speak lies to us, but deception is sometimes not as harsh than the truth can be.

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." ~Anton Chekhov
To me, being able to SEE has been one of my most cherished gifts. To be able to see through words is a most pleasant alternative.

"There is no surer method of evading the world than by following Art, and no surer method of linking oneself to it than by Art." ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Ah, looks like art is the answer to all our problems! It's also funny to think that most of us want to both evade and link ourselves to the world.

"Man will begin to recover the moment he takes art as seriously as physics, chemistry or money." ~Ernst Levy
Oh, that this would ever become a reality! I think we would all be able to see the beauty around us and be grateful for it, and gratitude most often leads to happiness; ours as well as others'.

"Great art is as irrational as great music. It is mad with its own loveliness." ~George Jean Nathan, House of Satan
Mad with its own lovliness! Stability, while being able to be interpreted many ways, has never been what I would consider the most lovely. Flaws and uniqueness are what build character and confidence, in my opinion.

"Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly." ~Theodore Roosevelt
I cannot express how much I adore this man. I think that what he says here is essential to our self-respect and goals for the future. And hilarious.

It was hard to pick one phrase from Thoreau, from whose mouth came some of my favorite sentences ever:

"Men profess to be lovers of music, but for the most part they give no evidence in their opinions and lives that they have heard it." ~Henry David Thoreau
The same could be said about so-called lovers of almost anything! If we were all as civil, educated, humble, respectful, artistic, creative, happy as we say we are, imagine the benefits to ourselves and those around us! And what's stopping us from being what we want to be?

"They make no mention of the beauty of decay." ~Tears For Fears, Break It Down Again
I've always enjoyed a lyric that has made me stop and think and say, "Oh, that's very true!" Decay often leads to rebirth, and that is a truly beautiful thing, if not dark. I also enjoy a bit of the dark. :D

"I am a lyrical soul, bound to get carried away." ~Roisin Murphy, Sow Into You
How else could I describe myself? There probably isn't any other way, haha.
"By daily dying I have come to be." ~Theodore Roethke
This was one of my favorite philosophers I learned about in high school. I wondered about what he meant by this phrase, but then I remembered something an artist said once, about giving so much of himself for his art, so that it would come alive, that it seemed he lost his personality. Maybe by giving of ourselves, we find what we really are.

"This is how it works: you're young until you're not. You love until you don't. You try until you can't. You laugh until you cry, you cry until you laugh, and everyone must breathe, until their dying breath." ~Regina Spektor, On The Radio
I love the simplicity of this. It's all true! You do what you can until you can't anymore. But when and why that is, all depends on you.

I wanted to include some lyrics from My Brightest Diamond songs, but they can be kind of dark, and while I like them for their creative construction, I'm afraid people would think I'm grotesque or something. :D I'm not entirely.

While there's plenty more where this came from, I think I've bored you all enough. :D

Who's excited for Christmas, raise your hands!

I Have It

2008-12-11T08:15:00.000-08:00

I have what I need to proceed with my Christmas prank. XD

Ah, the splendor and fast-paced season that is Christmas. The time of the year most often spent visiting loved ones, making cookies and candies, decorating, singing, and reminiscing of Christmases past. What I am trying to say, is that I think I'm going to have to buy gifts for my friends and family, instead of making them like I planned, since I am running dangerously low on time. I think I will finish making them and just give them away when they are done. It will be a bit on the spontaneous side I think, but that's become a thing to be expected when it comes to me, so I'm not really worried.

Today I finished my book and passed it on to my coworker. I recommend it. Some of you are probably aware of my infatuation with Mr. Darcy, so the book I was reading, An Assembly Such As This, would be no surprise. It's the Pride & Prejudice story from Mr. Darcy's point of view. Pamela Aidan does a pretty good job of keeping the language in the proper era, as well as keeping with the story, but making it different enough to keep readers familiar with P&P interested. It's a Trilogy, so I'm off for the second book. But in the meantime, I will be reading Paradise Lost.

So I think I would like the Canon 40D digital camera. It's very nice. 10.1 megapixels, tilt correction, dust reduction....phwoar, I want this camera bad. Hopefully I will be able to afford it after the holidays. :D

Love At First Sight?

2008-12-09T08:52:00.000-08:00

The Dark Knight comes out on DVD today! I am giddy with joy and excitement. XD But I have to wait until later to go get it because I left my preorder receipt at home. :( But, it will wait for me! I can make myself have patience! I will have to distract myself though, to make the time go by faster. And I will distract myself with solitaire.
About that...my work wants us to cut down on our outside-of-work internet use. Understandable. So I'm reduced to playing solitaire when there's nothing to do and no one to help, to reduce the excess use of bandwidth. It's no big deal, but I can't blog as much. Which is probably all for the better as well.

So I came across this article today while reading the news. Never before have I read something by someone so incredibly misinformed. This article suggests that the Bible does not necessarily revere heterosexual marriages and that it does, in fact, support gay marriages. Besides that statement being utterly ridiculous, it's very plain to see that the writer was either not familiar with the Bible in any way, (and therefore should probably not be writing an article on interpreting it) or has been welcomed into that ever-growing circle of those with the cunning ability to twist anything into what thay want it to represent. I would not base my own beliefs on the words of someone who probably only looked at a few passages that might support their point without searching for further explanation, if the former. If the latter, it is an unfortunate thing that there are many different versions of the Bible, most of which were added to or taken from purely to fit with what early religious groups wanted in their worship and actions, so I can see how someone would be able to misinterpret scripture and/or be able to more easily mold what is said to fit their purposes. It makes me so glad that I have access to the most correct of them all.

The article can be read here: http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653/page/1

The second page made me laugh (after it made me mad). It is so strange to me that those who do not believe in Christ or God or religion or whatever, refuse to believe in Jesus's divinity or the apostles' greatness until the prospect of them also being HUMAN comes into play - then we hear things like, "If Paul was so spiritual, why didn't he get married?" while I am thinking, "If you are so anti-spiritual, why are you trying to win me in a battle of scripture?" Nowhere in the Bible does it say Paul was never married. (At least not the most correct Bible.) He may not have been married after his conversion, but does that automatically mean he was NEVER married and was going against the church? He couldn't have been divorced or a widower? (Found my proof on LDS.org) Here's another fun exerpt from the article: "Twice Leviticus refers to sex between men as "an abomination" (King James version), but these are throwaway lines in a peculiar text given over to codes for living in the ancient Jewish world..." Sooooo what you are telling me is that you are taking the scriptures seriously and literally in your professional research, but this particular passage does not count? Because it makes the title and purpose of your article a complete lie, making you look like a fool? That makes perfect sense. How honorable.

The author concludes, saying that homosexual partners should be allowed to marry in the same sense that straight couples are, because we are all God's children. That is very true, we are all God's children, and he loves us no matter what, but homosexuality is not of God, and His sacred ordinance of marriage should not and will not be tainted. Are you also saying that we should allow murder, stealing, infidelity and substance abuse, among others? Last I heard, most people as a whole are firmly against those abominations. You can't pick and choose, honey, make up your mind. I stand by what I have always said: If it were ever meant for people to be homosexual, there would not be two specific genders, whether you believe in God or science. It's that simple. Fight it all you want.

Sure, I may not be the nicest of writers, but that's a bit better than baseless, incorrect writers. But still, everyone's entitled to their opinion.

My coworker (who thinks I'm his secretary) hasn't been messing around with me much lately. I think it's because I refused to buy him a bagel last week, because I knew he would never pay me back. He wouldn't. He never keeps his word, everybody knows that, so I have learned my lesson. However, he is still going to get a really nifty Christmas present from me. And by that, I mean a big ol' prank. :D

Went to Temple Square last night. It was loverly, since we had the first snowfall of the season going on. :) I found my soulmate - a Jonathan Rhys-Meyers look-alike! and LDS! (assumedly) - but he vanished too quickly. I was soooooo disappointed. I'm seriously crushed. Wilted. Heartbroken. *sigh* That was as close to love at first sight as I think I will ever get. lol

You'll Never Believe It!!!

2008-12-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

I went to see Twilight. That's right. Twiiiiilllliiiiiight. I figured it couldn't be worse than the book - they can't cut any plotlines, (there weren't many to begin with! Bwahaha) so most of the excess romance would be cut, right? Well, yes, that is true. But I still laughed at the cheesiness of the movie. (Sorry guys, I tried!) Many people said that you couldn't really feel how much Bella and Edward were in love, and I do agree with that, and I didn't believe any of the actors really were the people I had read in the book, except Alice, Jacob and Jessica. (Carlisle was NOTHING like I had pictured - I was so devastated!) The sparkling was cheesey, the lines were cheesey, and overall, I thought the movie was cheesey. I don't know if I would feel that way had I not read the book - I probably would have liked it a little better. But all in all, I didn't have high hopes for it, and I was still disappointed. :( What a bummer.

I'm very anxious right now. I'm nearing the end of my book, A Game of Thrones, and I'm going crazy! They killed my favorite character, (I shouldn't be surprised, but I really thought he was going to live!) and he didn't even die nobly! He died in treachery and young, stupid arrogance! I'm so angry, I cannot even begin to express it - only that I'm hoping his family gets their vengeance! My friend told me it ends well (a major cliffhanger, but well just the same) and basically that they get what's coming to them, so I can't wait to get to it!

I'm also registering for some more classes in the spring. I'm so happy - it's been almost a year since I've gone to school and I really miss it. I'm also thinking of getting a job at UPS because they pay for school and have hours that would work with my schedule. Pray that I can find something!

Thanksgiving was good - I didn't get to make the rolls, but I was also in charge of family portraits. It was funny, I was outside for probably about an hour with bare feet, taking pictures, and I didn't even realize until I got inside that my feet were numb. :D What a doofus. But I got some good posing practice, and I think I did a pretty good job. Maybe I'll post some of the pics.

The girls in my family made cookies over the weekend as well! It was so much fun; it invited the Christmas spirit and the cookies were so yummeh! Tierney made the dough all by herself (used the Kitchen Aid and everything!) she's getting really good. I'll post the pictures we were taking for that also. And if I can get some from from my cousin of the Twilight outing. :D

So, I get to decorate a tree! I have had Christmas tree decorations for a few years and this year my parents said we can set up two trees, and I get one for my decorations! I'm so excited! I'll post pictures of that too! Pics all around!

Frustrating

2008-11-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

Ok, apparently I have this huge problem with frustrating myself. I suppose that I think about things too much, but I guess that in the long run, that's a good thing. I don't know, but lately (as always) I've been thinking about my future career. Some of you will know that I have gone through several majors that I have "decided on" but have continually changed my mind, obviously. Lately I decided that I was going to stick to my illustration major, but I was thinking again yesterday: With the economy going down the drain, would that be a wise choice? Will people have need of an illustrator/designer? Will the economy get better? Is it even as bad as I lead myself to think? And then I started thinking of my other options (again). If I were to change my major to languages and learn maybe two in school and more on my own, or through extended schooling, that would most likely score me a more stable career, maybe in the government or entertainment or translating. Also, being bi-lingual is a perk on almost any application. Before, when I was considering language first, I had been really asking for help and was really torn, but one morning in the midst of all this questioning I read a scripture that could not have been more of an answer: D&C 90:15 - "And set in order the churches, and study and learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people."

Truth be told, I wasn't expecting an answer like that; I hadn't even prayed out loud requesting an answer yet, but I had it in my heart, and proceeded to pray about it after, to which I felt really good about it. But I feel really good about doing other things too. I have felt that I should go into art, language, photography, classics...but I can't do them all! I don't have the money, and I feel like I need a degree as soon as possible so I can start making enough money to support myself. I have 20-something credits in art already, and if I change majors I will have to start over. I also feel like art is something that is generally judged by talent and not degree, and I may have some talent now, but I want to be as good ad I can be, because art is still a competetive field. I can also somewhat easily learn languages on my own, but that is something that will need documentation to prove, I think. So I'm kind of stuck in a rut, and if anyone has any advice, I'd be more than happy to receive it. I'm running out of time, haha, I want to start school again in the spring. I did decide one thing for sure, though - I am going to get this DONE.

So now to talk of other things. That is, assuming I can come up with anything interesting.

I have been "hired" as my coworker's secretary. Every day he comes in and asks if he has any messages. Lately I have been having a hard time coming up with sassy replies; it's kind of sad. I used to say things like, "Oh, your mom called and wants to tell you that you should start washing your underwear more often." or "Santa Claus called and wants to know if you still want those Transformer bedsheets." He usually has an answer: "I don't wear underwear, I'm Batman." or "Heck yes I still want those Transformer sheets. How nice." I should really up my productivity. Oh, I'm getting paid in burritos, by the way. Invisible burritos, apparently. Sadness.

Oh joy, I have so many awesome patterns now (Joann's has been having sales!) so now I just need some extra time to....oh who am I kidding, I do have extra time. Not much, but it's still there. I probably won't have any come springtime though. Rats. Anyway, I have been really into sewing lately. :D I want to get on it, there's a lot I need to learn if I want to start designing and making my own clothes. (I breifly considered fashion design as a major to change to as well. Bwaha) Anyone know where I can get an asjustable dress form for a reasonable price?

This week for Thanksgiving I get to make the rolls. Joy and yum! And I have the Friday after off! Yessss! I get to visit family longer! It's about time! I have been coming in to work on all the paid holidays we've needed someone, so it's about time the other person does one. Hmmm...maybe I will do some Black Friday shopping this year. Think that's wise? My aunt sprained her ankle at RC Willey on Black Friday once...

Now, I need something visual on here, since this post is kind of boring, (and I'm kind of bored as well) so I google-imaged the letters of my first name and picked the ones I liked the best. Just because.

Voila!

It's All About Werewolves Anyway

2008-11-21T07:27:00.000-08:00

Here we go. The day of dread. Utter defensive vampiric dread. I'm going to get it all out of my system now so that when every woman in my workplace gangs up on me for being practically the only female here who isn't enraptured by those books, I can keep all my clever insults inside and not get mauled by the wannabe undead cheerleading squad. No, I did NOT go see the Twilight movie at midnight, nor will I consider paying good money to go see it until it hits the dollar theater. Then I'll think about it. I really have nothing against the Twilight series, but what I do think is that it was grossly over-exaggerated. It's kind of sad to me when a book as uninteresting to me as Twilight (Sorry Twilight lovers! Really, I am.) gets a ridiculously huge amount of recognition, when amazing books of a much higher caliber go unnoticed and ignored. That's really my only thing. I can totally understand how people can love a book with little plot or action that's made up with an overindulgence of romance. Romances are great, just not for me. Please don't hate me. :D

Aaaaaaaand I just remembered that I was supposed to bring green onions for the potluck today, so I will be ending this post short.

TSO

2008-11-14T10:25:00.000-08:00

Ok. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert last night was absolutely AMAZING and I think I love them.

That's all.

Of Books and Music

2008-11-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I read Of Mice and Men. Great book, but definitely not what I expected. But once I think about it, I don't really know what most classics are about. Catcher in the Rye was totally different than what I imagined, because I didn't know a thing about it. I'm sure most of the books on my list will be the same. I'm still excited to read them though. There's something addicting about those kind of books - the honesty, the irony, the hopes, dreams and failures. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is like that. I like a happy ending, but I remember an honest one. Anyway, I'm thinking For Whom The Bell Tolls next. :D

And I just found the neatest indie band I've heard in a long time. Katzenjammer. Check them out, I dare you. http://obscuresound.com/ They're the last band on the page.

I kind of like Rockettothesky and Peter Moore as well. 3rd page. That is a very good blog. :D

Newness of Job

2008-11-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

I am so sick of being bored all the time at work - It's a good place, but I have needed something new for a long time, so if any of you know of a job I would be interested in, please let me know.

Why I'm Doomed: Part I

2008-11-11T13:45:00.000-08:00

I just realized something about myself: Every time I walk out of the bathroom at work and make my way down the hall to my desk, I subconsciously tug on my right earlobe. I will never know why, unless I go to a psychologist and have it analyzed, but that will never, ever happen.
Also, whenever I simply enter a certain restroom on the north side of the building, I am immediately reminded of My Little Ponies. This, however, I have an explanation for: the smell. The air freshener had that vanilla-plastic smell that seemed to be a staple of all toys made in the 80s. While that air freshener has long been replaced, I still get that memory of my childhood forced into my head by that bathroom. How funny is that?

I have to express my extreme pleasure in the fact that someone from one of our branches was here today and actually came to meet me! She had a snack for us note custodians too! I was so happy, because my small (two person) department is often overlooked and forgotten, which can be a good or a sad thing, depending on the vistor, of course. But in general, I like to put faces to the names I am constantly emailing as well as the next person, so today was mark-on-my-calendar-worthy. Except that I did not mark it on my calendar.

And how's this for dumb - I think I would like to keep my illustration major. I went just about full-circle there. But if making my life harder is wrong, then I don't want to be right. Wait...

P.S. I named this post "Part I" because I'm quite sure that there will be other instances made aware in this journal that will only further explain why I'm doomed. Call it a precaution, if you will.

Creativity Rears It's Awesome Head

2008-11-10T13:05:00.001-08:00

Ok, I'm such a nerd, but I want to post this because I love it so much. You might not know this, but I absolutely love the iconic symbols of reindeer. Deer in general are fabby, but when Christmas comes around, I start getting excited because I get to pull out all my reindeer stuff to decorate with. Every year I buy a decorative reindeer as well as a stuffed/cutesy reindeer. So I was at Joann's recently and saw the coolest little deer charm (I have been on this gigantic creative streak lately, and I have been wanting to make all sorts of stuff, like food, jewelry, and clothes) so I needed to make something with it. It's nothing much, but here's my little deer necklace:

I have worn it three days in a row - that shows you what sort of a dork I am. But I am upset because people keep thinking it's a chihuahua. :( Anyway, one day I will be good enough so that I can actually play a bigger part in the development of such pieces, instead of just buying the pieces and putting them together. I've been reading up on jewelry-making during today's slow hours. :D

Here are a couple other things I've been keeping myself busy with:

First: My coat. You have no idea how exciting this is for me. I have had the pieces for this coat cut out for I think three years, and I am only putting it together now. Victory! I have a hard time making sense of the pattern instructions, so I have been having my mom basically tell me what to do while I go do it. I need to have her tell me what everything means, pattern-wise. All I have left to do is the hemming, buttons and pockets, I believe.

Second: Those earrings. Yeah, they look a bit odd, but they are for a friend, and they are more for collections sake than for wearing, since they have a mutual meaning for us both, but this friend loves flashy stuff, so she will wear them anyway. I just wanted to post them because I was pleased with how they turned out.

I'm also doing some secret fun Christmas gift stuff, so stay tuned!!

Pro-Integrity!

2008-11-04T08:32:00.001-08:00

I was reading up on some celebrity presidential opinions today, and I was going to say I was surprised at what I read, but I'm really not. They're candidate choices mean nothing to me - I know we all have our freedom to choose and that's great, but what always gets me is the lack of respect that celebrities (and not only them - I've been reading about a surprising amount of average-joe disrespectful voters) have in regards to everyone going against their prime choices. To me, when someone flaunts an unnecessary dislike toward a presidential candidate in the form of insults, it's an easy way to tell that said person probably doesn't have any knowledge about all parties, (likely not even a substantial knowledge of the one they are supporting!) and a general absence of integrity. This is what scares me more than any potentially unfit presidential hopeful - a nation of free voters without the ability to vote intelligently.
I will say though, that I was happy to see a few celebrities who gave their opinions tactfully by praising the opposition instead of degrading them. And I don't mean to lift myself above the majority either, because I am certainly working on being more knowledgeable about all of my options, but for heaven's sake, I don't say that I'm going to leave the country if so-and-so wins. That's just stupid. But hey, if you want to leave the country, don't let Lady Liberty hold you back. It will just up the intelligence ratio here a bit anyway.

Tagged!

2008-10-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Steph to fill out this 8 things Quiz:

T.V. Shows I like to watch

1. The Office
2. Bones
3. Ghost Hunters (TAPS)
4. Most Haunted
5. That cake show with that one guy. :D
6. Golden Girls
7. History's Mysteries
8. ... (It was hard enough to find 7 - I don't watch a lot of TV)

Eight things that happened yesterday

1. I cleaned the heck out of my room. And it's still a cluttered mess!
2. Ate two burritos.
3. Had the house to myself.
4. Went to work and bored myself to death.
5. Finished Inuyasha.
6. Had my date canceled. (Thank heavens!)
7. Went to Smith's.
8. Went to bed late.

Favorite Places to Eat

1. Subway
2. Tepanyaki
3. Wendy's
4. Rumbi Grill
5. Mad Greek
6. Blimpie's
7. IHOP
8. Grandma's

Eight Things I'm Looking Forward to

1. Getting my degree.
2. Getting a puppy.
3. Remodeling my room.
4. Learning a few languages.
5. Getting a job I love.
6. Finishing my coat I started 3 years ago.
7. Paying off my car.
8. Traveling.

Eight things on my wishlist

1. New bed
2. New dresser/armoir
3. House
4. Dress form
5. Puppy
6. Food storage a-plenty
7. More time
8. Money for school

Eight People I tag (if you want)

1. Emily
2. Teresa
3. Lindsay
4. Lindsay
5. Kyle
6. Erika
7. Alyssa
8. Krista

(I don't remember if any of you got tagged by Steph already - sorry)

Happy Checker Checks Out ACV

2008-10-29T13:06:00.001-07:00

The checker at Smith's treated me extra nice today. (I know it was extra nice because I shop there often, and usually go through this guy's line.) So the thing is, I don't know if he was being super nice to me because he was in a really good mood or something, or if he noticed I was purchasing tampons and he thought he better stay on the safe side. :D

Today I also bought apple cider vinegar and a little thing of honey so I can start drinking this so-called miracle drink and see what it does for me. In 8 oz. warm water add 2 tsp. ACV and 2 tsp. honey. Here's one website that tells us the many, many uses of ACV and its benefits:

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art38036.asp

So it's supposed to help you lose weight too. I don't need to lose a whole lot, but I'm hoping it will help with my asthma and build up my immune system. It's also an energy booster. Now that's something I could use a lot more of. I'm all for natural medicines, so I'm pretty excited about this - I've heard lots of good things. And it's so cheap, too! I bought my bottle of ACV for a dollar and my honey for two! Rock on, rock on.

BaconSalt

2008-10-27T11:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, I had to post again today because I was just informed about this website that I have linked to in my sidebar, and I want to make you all aware of it:

BaconSalt "Everything Should Taste Like Bacon"

http://www.baconsaltblog.com/

First of all, I am going to buy me some of this.
Second, I didn't know there were people like me who love bacon so much that they have chosen to blog about it. (I don't blog about bacon, but you get what I mean.) But lo and behold, this BaconSalt blog has linked to other bacon-inspired blogs, which contain yummy recipes and crazy-awesome pictures of bacon in its many different forms: art, architecture, clothing, etc.

Peace through pork.

Rantrantrant...Rant!

2008-10-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

Lookit!

Kind of a crappy picture, but see how cute it is?! I got it Thursday. There are six heads, so I don't know if I should give it one or six names...haha

This weekend was an interesting one - I'm trying to think of a word that would describe it, but I've got nothing. I went shopping with a guy friend who insisted on picking out clothes for me, then taking me to a mirror and telling me how the lines and shapes accentuated my curves. Oh, it was strange, and yet very amusing. The Kohl's employees got a kick out of him. And he's straight, by the way. And there's nothing between us. Haha

Then I had a date that was fun, but a little disappointing. And to top it off I now have a date with a different guy who I don't really want to go out with at all. I'm disappointed already, and I haven't even gone on the date yet.

Stop. Rant time.

You know, people always tell me that I need to give guys a chance. I do. I believe that everyone deserves a chance, and I'm willing to go on a date with almost anyone because I know that what you see is not always what you get. But on the occasion that I don't feel anything for them after that date, and don't want to continue going out with them, I'm sometimes told that I need to give them another chance. Why should I? When I get stuck going out with someone who doesn't respect me and my wishes at all, and who keeps throwing himself into business that isn't his, (It happens with me a lot more than you'd think) I'm not going to play the pleasant and docile female. I'm not old-fashioned. I don't want people telling me I'm too severe or harsh anymore, because in all reality, I'm not. If I'm going to try my best at being the most awesome wife that I can be, I sure as heck am not going to lower my standards one bit to be rewarded with anything less than an amazing husband. I haven't found what I want yet in anyone that I've dated so far, so please do not criticize me because I refuse to be unhappy. It's my life, and if I never get married here on Earth, that's fine. I know I can provide for myself. And I'm still doing what I should be doing, so I have no reason to be afraid of being alone for eternity. Don't get me wrong - I want to get married and have a family, but I'm young and I've got plenty of time, so I'm willing to wait until I find the perfect man for me, and if any people think I'm being unrealistic, they're wrong.

Thanks, and have a nice day!

"Weeee are building family fuuuutuuures"

2008-10-22T08:28:00.001-07:00

Yesterday our attorney person recorded everyone at work singing a part of the company song for a video they want to play at the Christmas party.
Get this - nobody even knew we had a company song. It's to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad", we found out.

That right there was a sign that nobody should have come in to work. And yet we did.

We sang it, too. With smiles on our faces. But that was only because we were laughing at how ridiculous the whole situation was. :D Yes. He made us "head-bob".

Gah, it seriously smells like someone's butt in here.

The Smell of Victory and an Irritated Coworker

2008-10-20T07:53:00.001-07:00

Today my coworker/prank victim asked me if I was the one who "messed up" his computer. He was referring to the time I print screened his desktop and set it as his desktop background, then removed all his desktop icons and placed them in a folder marked "Hey Chris". So technically, yes, it was me. I did this a week or two ago, but he never said anything about it until now. The conversation today went something like this:

Chris: ...it's been harder since the icons on my desktop won't work. Heather, are you the one who did this?
Heather: Did what?
C: Put this folder marked "Hey Chris". I have to go into it to get to my icons, since the ones on my desktop won't work. I've had to deal with this for a while, it's annoying.
H: I don't understand what you are saying the problem is. Your icons don't work?
C: Yeah, I think you did it.
H: No, I didn't.
C: Do you promise you didn't do it?
H: *pause* Chris, what makes you think I would do something like that to you? (I never promised I didn't. :D )
C: You're the only one who knows stuff like this.
H: Accounting is full of clever people. But thank you.
C: Your uncle is the I.T. manager.
H: My uncle won't teach me squat.
C: Can you fix it though?
H: ....Sure. I can come take a look at it.

Basically I'm gonna keep doing this until he figures out who it is. He probably doesn't care though. Like I said before - I think he likes the attention.

I need to finish my Halloween costume soon or else I won't have it done in time. I want to be a pirate, but I have my standards. I don't want my costume to look cheap, and I don't want to look whoreish. That's a problem, because most of the pirate stuff nowadays is both cheap and whoreish. I wanted to make it all myself, but I don't have the time, nor the talent. If anyone has anything that would help, I would be greatly appreciative, whether it be somewhere you know that has good pirate accessories or clothes, or somewhere I can find something to alter to the point that it looks piratey. I'll probably be taking a trip to the DI today. :D Yesssss good ol' DI.

Meeeowww

2008-10-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Behold the product of sheer feline malevolence (or maybe just playfulness):

There is a matching set of claw marks on the opposite side of my back, like I was receiving some sort of "hug of death" from behind. This, friends and family, is what happens when you choose to do your hair without a shirt on when you have a half-senile kitten in the room who loves to attack anything that moves. In this case, the power cord to the straightener. And did I mention that this particular half-senile kitten has 7 claws on each paw? I didn't? Well now you know. Sadly, you can't tell by looking at the picture that the kitten is a deadly mutant cat, since only 4 of the claw marks are visible, so it looks like I only got attacked by a deadly regular cat, which is far less cool.

The assassin in question:

Cosmo, kitten extraordinaire.

See how cute she is when not delivering a sadistic reign of terror to her environment?

Taking Control of the Fly Population

2008-10-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

Flies bother me. There has been a fly buzzing around the ceiling by my cubicle for the past couple weeks, and I see little ones here and there that appear out of nowhere, so I did the most logical thing I could think of.

I ordered a venus flytrap.

Toasties!

2008-10-13T08:08:00.001-07:00

That, my friends, is what they call grilled cheese sandwiches in New Zealand. And that has absolutely nothing to do with today's post, but it's what popped into my head as I was thinking up a title. Yeah, sometimes I wonder how my brain works, too.

So, I have stopped being overly-nauseas every morning, and only get somewhat nauseas at random times during the day. I have, however, developed some headaches and fatigue, and yesterday I could not feel some of my fingers. Haha! But I think that has more to do with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which I suspect I may have. But anyway, some of you have been expressing worry for me, and I appreciate your concern, but I want you to know that I am doing much much better and am perfectly fine. :D

Oooh and it was so nice and cozy when I woke up this morning, since we have had fires going in our wood-burning stove since Friday/Saturday. Oh! And we got the sod put in our yard Saturday, so it actually looks like - guess what - a yard! It's so pretty. I'm very excited about it. So is the rest of the family. :D

So, I have this friend who basically ran away from home, but it was when she was 19 or so, so I don't know if it can be considered running away ... anyway, she is having a baby today, which is a wonderful thing, but I am very worried about it, since this is her second child, and her first child she neglected to the point of having him legally taken away from her. She moved back here and is living with her mother I believe, so I hope that will do them good, because I would hate to see the same thing happen to this baby. I know she's a good person, but it broke my heart to hear about what happened to her first son, and I know her and her boyfriend/husband (not sure they ever got married) have it in them to do better. I think it's best that she has her mother with her now, and hopefully she can get motivated to do her best for her family. I'd like to go see her sometimes, so pray that I can help somehow.

Ok so...I just got a call from my mother, and she has told me that I no longer want or need to get married and have a family, and that I am going to stay with her forever, or become a hermit (the original plan). I told her I might disagree, but she said I won't, so it looks like I will not be getting married ever, and I will work all day, every day, since I will have no further obligations, and retire early and buy an island or a mountain and there live out the rest of my days in fierce solitude and probably raise chickens, cows and the like. Apparently for real now. Because my mother says so. We are going to "fool the fates", as she said. Since, you know, my Patriarchal blessing says I will have a husband and children. Just to let you all know, when I disappear, that's what I will be up to. Raising chickens in a remote center of the world. *pout* Thinking about that as a real possibility kind of makes me sad. I think I would rather do the "date one man every day for a month" thing that my mom dreamed about, lol. I just might write a book about my adventures in dating. I could fill up a book with that. It might even give hope to the female population who thinks that their dating experiences couldn't be worse or weirder. Haha.

Oh bother...

2008-10-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

...I can't reach the last little bit of my soup. It's all the way on the bottom of the container, and it won't drip very fast. I could just hold the can upside down over my mouth for a while....I have nothing better to do......or I could go get a spoon.

It's been an icky week, since my medication has been making me ill. I missed out on two days of work. Ha - it's funny: I am back at work today, and still have time to spare, with all the catching up I had to do. Something is seriously wrong with that. So, I'm waiting for my coworker to leave his desk so I can flip his screen contents upside-down. (ctrl + alt + down arrow - doesn't work on all computers though, so I hope it works on his) That will cure the boredom for a little bit. I need to think of something else to do though. I would read, but I want to finish my other book - The Catcher in the Rye - first. I can't find it online, or I would finish it now. I think I'll do some office yoga while I wait for shipping time to come:

http://www.healthandyoga.com/HTML/news/evamarie_office.asp

P.S. ctrl + alt + down arrow does not work on my coworker's computer. In fact, my computer is the only one I tested that it worked on. Disappointing.

Real 50

2008-10-06T20:10:00.000-07:00

I just realized that my last post is not actually my 50th post. It was my 49th. Which makes THIS post my 50th. It's a bit anticlimactic, no?

50

2008-10-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

Hey huzzah! I believe this is my 50th post! I take congratulations in the form of money and turkey bacon.

I spent the weekend at my cabin for Conference, (awesome stuff) and returned with some photos for your viewing pleasure. I have nothing else interesting to add, except that I lost all my pool games to my 11 year old sister. On to the photographs (altered slightly to bring out the color and contrast - except for the b&w one...it's obviously a little more than slightly altered) :

It was raining a lot, so I utilized the ever-present raindrops and hovering fog as much as I could. If you couldn't tell, I like to get up close and personal with my subjects. :D In your face! Raar!

Mountain Scene-riffic

2008-10-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

This morning, my cube neighbor and I got caught rearranging the keys on our other neighbor's calculator. He wasn't supposed to come in for another 10 minutes or so; it was pretty irritating. I managed to get all the keys rearranged before he got to his desk, some even upside-down, but he still saw us, so it was all in vain. He ruined everything.
He then walked into someone's office and locked us out (he was pretending to be mad but he likes the attention) while my cohort "fixed" the calculator. He kept the 1 and the 9 in switched positions. :D

I was so bored yesterday that I went through Time's 50 Coolest Websites List where I found this site:

http://www.someecards.com/

Beware - you may be getting an ecard from me soon.
And today, I killed early-morning boredom with this website:

http://www.alphabetsynthesis.com/

You can create your own alphabet and save it on your computer as a true type font! My alphabet is sexy-awesome. But I haven't figured out how to use the font yet....

This just in: he finally texted back!!! Elation!

Oh, and hopefully I'll be going to my family's cabin this weekend to enjoy conference in the loverly mountian scene, so I won't be blogging all frickin weekend, much to your dismay. Haha! That was a joke, see, because I rarely blog on the weekends anyway. -Ahem- Yes.

Co-Worker Convo

2008-10-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

I am very loved in my office. Let me share with you an example of what I mean:

I have been coughing a lot lately because of my asthma, allergies and such, and people are always bringing it up. Here's a conversation I was in just a moment ago:

Me: *Cough cough*
Coworker: Heather, are you still coughing?
Me: Um....yes?
C: How we gonna get you to stop?
Me: I took my medicine today...
C: I know how we can get it out of you.
Me: *Rolls eyes* How?
C: We'll shoot it out of you.
Me: ........Pardon?
C: We'll SHOOT it out of you.
Me: And how will that help me stop coughing?
C: You'll be dead.
Me: ............Thank you. That's very kind.
C: Hey, if you die, do I get full custody of Christoph?
Me: *Thinking* Yes. Yes, if I die, you may have Christoph. (Christoph is my rubber band ball - this coworker refers to it as our child.)
C: Sweet.
Me: That doesn't mean you can kill me, however.
C: What?
Me: You may have Christoph if I die of natural causes.
C: Hmmm....natural causes....
Me: .......At home.
C: ....at home....in bed? That's the worst way to die.
Me: Dying of natural causes at home in bed is the worst way to die? That sounds pretty nice to me.
C: But you're going to get shot.
Me: ......If I die I'll make them serve cottage cheese at my funeral. And you'll have to eat it.
C: EW!

You can see why I put his stapler in jello. :D

According To Plan

2008-09-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Today, my coworker came in on this beautiful Monday morning to find his stapler mercilessly encased in a tomb of strawberry and cherry jell-o. (Long live Jim Halpert!) I'm still trying to decide if he's really upset or not. It's all deliciously funny. Quite worth all the labor I put into it. Wait - I hardly put any labor into it. And that makes it all the better. :D

One setback, however: When I put the jell-o on his desk, I couldn't find the decoy stapler that I used to replace his stapler. I couldn't sit there forever looking for it, so I just left without the decoy. So when he saw the jell-o, I heard him say: "This isn't even my stapler! Mine's right here!" (Holding up his stapler from wherever he had it hidden - I was a bit angry.) But then it got much more hilarious when I heard another member of accounting say, "That's MY stapler!" (Because the decoy WAS, in fact, his stapler that we had stolen for that very purpose.) Bwahaha.

Second setback: The victim was convinced that it was my cubicle neighbor (and one of the two other people who knew about all this) who was the culprit, so he put the jell-o on his desk as "revenge". Now people are thinking that the prank is on my neighbor. (He doesn't have a stapler, so they think it's his in the jello. Well...his is with the other coworker - the one who we stole the stapler from as the decoy. Hahaha it's absolutely beautiful.) This is a problem because my neighbor will wonder why the jell-o is on his desk and might rat me out, so I have to catch him when he comes in and tell him that our target switched the jell-o. *Sigh* Why can't things just go according to plan?

So, I'm going to try to get a picture of the jello-ed stapler to post here, but I'm not sure that's going to happen. I didn't have time before I set it up. Ah well.

On a less-hilarious side note, I have my examination today, and it's not going to be fun because I have to drink, hmmm...what did they say? a million gallons of water for it to be effective. Waaauuuugh I'm gonna die. :(

Sadly, I will not be able to get a picture because the jell-o has been disposed of. :( It was quite a funny ordeal, though. I'm very pleased, and quite satisfied for now. However, there is someone (who found out it was me) that wants to be in on the next one. Oh, there will be a next one.

Haha

2008-09-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

The doctor gave me lots of drugs.

Disappointment

2008-09-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

I did NOT get the reaction I was hoping for.
This morning, I taped the "missing change" I, uh, stole yesterday on the underside of the poor, unsuspecting owner's telephone receiver. I heard him get it about an hour after he got in, and THAT WAS IT! No happiness, irritation, confusion - nothing! I am so disappointed; you have no idea. But let me tell you one thing: This. Means. WAR.
He is not going to stop getting pranked until I get an appropriate reaction out of him. We'll see how he likes his jell-oed stapler on Monday. He would probably enjoy it, actually. Hmmm. Well, first things first...I need a deep enough jello mold to fit a stapler comfortably. :D I want to do Jim's brilliance justice. (You may remember my post about how I have been craving a helpless victim to prank on until the end of time, so you can celebrate my elation with me.)

And now for something completely different: I have been getting bored with my music collection lately. (I never thought THAT would happen - it seems I have something for every possible mood - but it's true.) So I humbly request your help in notifying me of all of your favorite artists so I can get my download on. :D I know you will do me proud.

Oh heavens....I think I just blew cheese out my nose. O_o

Passing the Time

2008-09-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

Today is so incredibly slow at work, that I have been looking for anything that will pass the time. I have started a new book (The Turn of the Screw by Henry James - I finished Pride & Prejudice a while ago, and recently finished Mansfield Park, but I think I am a little Jane Austen-ed out and need to take a break from her for a bit), as well as some of Edgar Allen Poe's stories (The Masque of the Red Death, Berenece). I have also held several lengthy conversations with other bored coworkers, ranging from hair products to squirrels. The lastest diversion has been the acquiration of a coworker's stapler (To be put into a large amount of jell-o, of course), as well as the 60 cents he pooled for winning last week's super bowl challenge. He freaked out when he noticed the money was gone, and still doesn't know who took it. (He only asked me if I stole it once - I was actually pretty shocked) He hasn't noticed the stapler because we replaced it with another. I don't think I'll do the jell-o until next week though, because we have a board meeting tomorrow. We are expected to dress professionally, (despite it being casual Friday) so I figure they'd want us to act similarly. :) As for his missing change, I figure I'll tape it to the inside of his desk drawer or to the bottom of his keyboard, so that he can find it on his own and I won't have to reveal myself and my cleverness.
So I had a dream last night that I was the maid of honor for someone's wedding; that someone I don't know. I had on the most amazing dress, and I don't exaggerate. It was so much better than the bride's dress, which is a big no-no in real life, but in dreams I can be as dang sexy as I want and everyone will still love me. Moving on - everyone in the wedding party was sitting down on their own bathroom stall toilets. It was funny because we all knew they were bathrooms, but when you sat down, the bottoms of the stall walls were so high that you could see into the next person's stall easily, so we were all sitting around and conversing. This guy (best man maybe?) two stalls down (Ha! That sounds so funny) passed me a piece of cardboard. It had this deep, intellectual quote on it that was supposed to be romantic. Looking back on it, I don't really see the romance since it was written on a piece of cardboard and, let's face it - we were surrounded by toilets, but I remember thinking of it as a very sweet gesture, and was smitten when I woke up. How weird is that? Hahaha. I don't ever plan on meeting the man of my dreams in a bathroom stall for a wedding, though I really wouldn't be surprised at something so odd happening to me. At all.

Happiness Is

2008-09-21T18:32:00.002-07:00

I have this nasty habit of copying things that other people do in their blogs. Especially Lindsay, but I suspect that is because we have similar brains. O_o Scary. So I took this from her blog - she made a list of the things that make her happy, and I'd like to do the same, since sometimes I need a reminder that it's not always the big things that make us feel good, but the little things that make us realize we make our own happiness. (Wise words indeed, Lindsay :D)
So here's what I came up with:

-Getting invited places
-Late-night gospel discussions with my family
-Toe rings
-Getting caught in rainstorms (Not just looking at the rain - getting caught in it somewhere where there's no one to tell you "Come inside or you'll catch cold!"
-Being complimented
-Receiving a letter (Not an email....a letter. They are more personal, and it shows that someone was willing to take time for you)
-True Gentlemen
-Creating something - art, poetry, music, food - anything
-Running over soda bottles/cans with my car
-Dressing nice when I don't have to
-Contributing to a good cause
-Riding my bike
-Photographing the perfect moment
-Having someone play with my hair
-Learning
-New socks
-Silly holidays
-Babies that like me
-Mr. Darcy
-Modest, stylish clothing
-Being able to eat what I want
-My Patriarchal blessing
-Really awesome scars
-Music - the poetry of the air!
-80s movies
-Exotic plants
-The work of Richard Avedon and Joyce Tenneson
-Neat Statues
-Winning things
-Lingerie
-Motorcycles
-Yard sales
-Furniture shopping
-German shepherds
-The moles on my eyebrow, arm, back, and little toe

So those are some of the things I could come up with. I think I have a pretty solid list. And I just want to say that I've had lots of fun being here in St. George. I really miss seeing all my family down here, and watching them grow. I swear, there are new little people every time I see you St. Georgians. And I have to gloat because I got to see all of the new cute babies before almost anyone else from up north! Bwahaha!

P.S. The wedding photography went well. :D I like the results and am overall really happy with everything I've done and learned.

Hoo Boy

2008-09-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

Okay all -

Best

Surname

......

Ever :

Dangdang.

Am I right or what? :D

Hibernation Would Be Nice

2008-09-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those days where I am just tired. Tired of the immaturity that surrounds me and sometimes comes from me.
I'm tired of my job that doesn't suit me, and hypocritical coworkers who always manage to get under my skin for one reason or another, whether it be trying to put blame elsewhere, self-glorification, or just slacking off and constantly competing with me or others. No, you're not better at my job than me, so stop trying to be subtle and catch me doing something wrong in order to glorify yourself, because it just won't happen.
I'm tired of listening to a friend of mine be insulted behind his back from someone who has neither right nor basis for insulting him, all for the sake of trying to be funny, or for trying to make others like him less. It's rude and un-Christlike, which is not cool coming from someone so strong in the gospel. It hurts my feelings every time.
I'm tired of my own indecision! I need to make critical choices that are harder to make than I thought, and I keep changing my mind about them. I never thought my life would be this crazy. I'm hoping to get some answers today while I fast. Argghh.
I'm tired of being surrounded by men interested in me who I am NOT interested in and who won't leave me alone about it. I have been very good about not giving off the wrong signals lately, and that seems to have made it worse! I'm sick of guys being unsympathetic to what I want and to what I'm like, and not getting to know me at all. I'm tired of being stereotyped based upon one part of me, and to have conversations with guys who will constantly bring up the one thing we have in common and not try to get to know me any further whatsoever.
I'm tired of my own dramaaaa. I have always hated drama, and it irritates me to see what I'm writing, but I need to put it somewhere so I don't blow up in someone's face today. :D
I am tired of being stuck between friends that I would rather not hang out with anymore. I sometimes just want them to forget me.
I'm tired of people taking over my interests and trying to be better at them than me, and many times achieving that.
I'm tired of my efforts being ignored.
I'm tired of doing the same thing every day.
I'm tired of people telling me that I should "Smile!"
I'm tired of the stupid fruit flies that buzz around here.
I'm tired of being self-pitious, and tired of looking at this computer screen, so I'm going to close in saying that hibernation would be nice today. :)

Morn of the Peace-Bagels

2008-09-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

So today is awesome. Why? Because I put all the men in accounting to shame. I believe I mentioned how I was dragged into a betting spree on the college football games, and recently again with the NFL games. The results of the first NFL week are in, and I totally won. There was one game left - Dallas vs. Philadelphia, and I was tied with two other guys for 1st, so we bet on the score total. My guess was 45, so I totally kicked trash. At the beginning, everyone bet 10 cents so that when someone won, they could get a soda or something from the break room machines. I got the money and was going to buy a bagel from Smith's, but I ended up buying a bagel for everyone, since all the guys were a little disappointed that I won. See, the thing is, I don't watch football. I don't know much about it. I based my first bets on whose mascots I liked the best. :D The second time around, however, I used my head, looked at scores, and based my choices off teams that were doing well this season. Cha-ching! Success! But anyway, I made my peace offering of bagels, and now they all say that I should win more often. Har har har.

My younger sister got her cello yesterday and I am so jealous! But we are going to be learning together. (she will tell me what she learns in school and I will show her what I find out for myself) What a team! We will be unstoppable!

Speaking of instruments, I am having a difficult time writing this violin accompanyment. I have to ask a few questions about his guitar part - I have a hard time following it sometimes, so that makes it hard to make smooth transitions in places. If anyone has any advice, I'd be happy to hear it. It's really a very beautiful song, I'm so excited to be able to have some part in it. I hope I don't screw it up. XP

So I have another idea of what I want to do. I found a program at the U that teaches Greek (Classical and modern) AND Latin! Bonus! That's like 3 languages! Plus you study the culture, literature, religion, etc. Sha-wing! So I was looking at that, but then I found out that BYU has practically the same program, but their tuition is a little bit cheaper. UVU has nothing. Haha bummer. So I know I keep changing my mind; I'm just a loser, that's all. :D

Ok, so...

2008-09-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

...Today I stuck my hand in a toilet.

Please....don't ask; I just had to share.

BUCK-BUCKAAAAAW

2008-09-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

I roasted my first chicken today! I feel so accomplished. It's absolutely beautiful! I haven't eaten it yet, however, so all its beauty might be for naught, if it's really nasty. I know it's going to be good though.

Ahhh, I just returned from eating my sexy bird-beast. Glory! I am now the best cook ever.

HELP!!!

2008-09-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

I THINK MY BUTT HAS SHRUNK!!! I DON'T FIT INTO MY FAVORITE JEANS ANYMORE!!! It fits around the waist, but not the seat. ......What happened? O_o

Momentary Memory Lapse? Nah, It's Just Gone

2008-09-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

I hate today. Why? Because I am so so tired, and I'm still sick, and I can't freakin' breathe. Gah. And I'm bored. But I'll be doing broker approvals soon, so it will get better.

I really think I am going to try to go to BYU. But I probably won't be able to keep my Forester. $125-or-something car insurance is not cool, and mix that with my car payments, phone bills, tithing, food, gas...and I don't really make a lot. I'd need to pay rent, so looks like I might be going back to my old car after all. Good thing I didn't sell it. But my mom will need her car fixed, and my dad his truck. If he still has it. I haven't seen it in a while...

So since I've been home sick the past two days, I have been watching The Office practically non-stop, and I'm absolutely DYING to start a prank war with someone here. My office isn't nearly as dysfunctional as Dunder Mifflin, but sometimes I wonder about people....

Gah and my stupid face is breaking out again. I'm just going to get on the freaking pill already.

I totally had other things I wanted to write about today, but they have all escaped me. Until I remember them, farewell, friends and family.

Blecchh

2008-09-09T11:54:00.001-07:00

Why do I always get sick when I have a date? This sucks!
So I've finished editing the temple pictures of the wedding. I'm going to take them over to their house today. Here are a couple I really liked:

You can't see them real well, but I like the way they turned out. *-EDIT- The family liked them too! Yay!* The lighting was so perfect that day! The sun was overcast, so there were no harsh shadows, but plenty of light. Lucky break! So I enjoyed taking the pictures, (I'm not done yet though - still have to do the St. George reception) but I don't know if weddings is what I want to do for a living. I'll surely photograph someone's wedding if they'd like me to, but I've decided that I'm way more into fine art photography, and I don't think that's enough for a stable career, so I'm thinking of going back to languages for my major. I love languages and cultures, and knowing languages is going to be helpful for many different careers, so that sounds like a good plan to me.

Tagged!

2008-09-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

Alyssa tagged me, so here I go!

These are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

Here are six random facts about me:

1 - For a while I would steal shoes that I saw lying in the street. It started when I was driving with a friend and we saw this huge, dirty boot in the gutter on State Street in front of the Olive Garden, and I just had to have it. I don't know where it is now; my parents probably threw it away.

2 - I'm afraid of robots and monkeys. Mostly monkeys. You can't tell me that any monkey doesn't look like it'd kill you at any given opportunity. Because they do.

3 - I have a Mr. Darcy fetish. It's bad. It's also strange because I have never been one for romance movies or novels.

4 - I love chairs. I buy really cool ones from yard sales and the DI to reupholster all schwanky-like.

5 - I love to learn languages. I have studied some Japanese, German, Italian, Greek, American Sign Language, Russian, and Latin. I'm not very fluent in any of them yet, but I can hold a basic conversation in German and Japanese.

6 - I am a music junkie. I love listening to music, discovering new artists, and acquiring music for my collection. I also love to play music. I've taken classes for violin, bass, guitar and piano. I'm currently writing a violin piece for a song my guitar teacher wrote. I've never tried writing my own music before, so wish me luck! :D

I now tag Lindsay H, Erika, Lindsay F, Kyle, Eric and Stephanie! Lurve

Odd How That Happens

2008-09-07T00:23:00.000-07:00

You know, just a minute ago I wrote this lengthy post for my blog which was very deep and intellectual; I talked about my feelings on some subjects and what was going on in my head and then I realized something - it was all very silly. :D So I will say this and this alone: I don't know why I think of some of the things I think about. Good night.

Arrr, Me Harties

2008-09-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be a pirate for Halloween and it is going to be schwank. I got my corset pattern and my flowy-shirt-thing pattern, so I just need to start. Now. To give myself enough time to procrastinate.

So I need a crock pot. I think I will buy one soon. I'm making my dip for the potluck today and I had to borrow my grandma's. It would be a lot easier if I just had my own. That way I can start practicing cooking OTHER things in a crock pot - not just this dip. (Though I could maybe live off it for a while - yummeh) I'm a bad girl though - I keep eating it, since I'm making it at my desk. I'm going to have to go to the store to get more stuff for it, so it doesn't all disappear before lunch.

So last night my guitar teacher gave me his song that he wants me to write a violin part for. I'm so excited - this is gonna be fun! And I'm hoping it will get me back into playing violin. My only problem with the violin is that I'm tired of the same old classical music, and I'm not really into playing popular songs on the violin, unless it's a totally awesome song. So writing and playing my own music is something I hadn't ever really tried, but wanted to do, so one...two...three...here we go!

Oh, The Pants

2008-09-04T10:50:00.001-07:00

So I changed my mind about my last rant - not all men I know are completely mad, though most of them probably are. :D I just need a sort of miniature boy-clairvoyant to sit on my shoulder and tell me everything that goes through their heads when I need to know something and I think I might do all right.

And, just for the record, I had my shorts on backwards for the entire evening last night. On the plus side, I only wandered the house and nobody felt the impulse to come over. I don't think even my family noticed, so we're all good. :D

Ahhh, I'm happy today. Because tomorrow is Friday, and we have a potluck. Because after I finish these wedding pictures, I will be free from it for two weeks, and then I will be completely done with my first job. Because I have two dates next week - one that I'm really excited for. Because I'm finally getting caught up with my finances that have been screwed up since July. Because my skin is clearing up. Because I have new awesome music on my ipod. Because I donated to children today. It feels like the rest of the day is going to be pretty good too. It dang well better be.

That's It

2008-09-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh. Ohmygiddygosh. Oh. My. Gosh.
I have never had man problems like this before. And I don't mean just relationship related. I mean men in general have been driving me absolutely mad lately. One will say "I have feelings for you" then practically sever all communication. One will keep trying to get me to date him, will flirt with me after he gets a girlfriend, asks me out on a date when he and his girlfriend take a week-long break from each other, and when I get right down to it and tell him straight up that I'm not interested, will be fine with it then but when we hang out weeks later, bring up how I was mean to him when he was trying to date me, etc. etc. and continue to "shun" me for almost an hour, being blatantly rude to me and everyone around, then say later that it was all a joke! Another acts like a 10 year old and comes over to my desk just to hit me in the arm and make off with my rubber band ball. One insulted a good friend of mine to my face. One would never talk to me, saying that he was always too busy, (even though he hung out with other people) and now that I'm not really that interested anymore he seems to be coming around. One guy comes out of nowhere and inquires after the niceness of my booty. I am in a foul mood today. The only men I like right now are the members of Rammstein and Jimmy Eat World. :D And I like them very much.

Part II - Conquered!

2008-08-30T22:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, today I completed part 2 of my first wedding photography job. I was a total idiot and was a tiny bit late because I could not, for the life of me, find a parking spot! The Trax ticket machines were not working so I had to drive to the SL temple. And on a Saturday evening, no less. So, Heavenly Father intervened and got me a spot and it was wonderful and the pictures were wonderful and I didn't do anything stupid, so I'd say it was a productive evening, as well as a learning experience. (Always leave a half hour before the half hour early that was originall planned.) But anyway, I was not really late because the bride and groom had just come out, but still. Heavens. So I'm going to post a couple pics - not of the wedding itself because I haven't looked at them yet, (Just did it earlier this evening) but I will put up a couple of the open house last week, because I like them.

These were some of my favorites - I love candids! I mentioned this to someone before, but I loved the power that came from having a camera in my hand! People would see me coming and would either pose, or go about their business so I could get my candid shots. Only a couple people ran away or tried to hide. But I feel very authorative when I have a special purpose for taking pictures - it's totally awesome and lets me do what I want to do. So it was a good day. All that's left is the reception in Saint George in a few weeks. Wish me luck. :D

10 Cents Toward College Football!

2008-08-29T19:34:00.001-07:00

Today I got dragged into a man-battle with the accounting department, and I'm not sure how I'm going to do. College football is starting this weekend. I was given a piece of paper with the games and teams and I was to make my choices for the winners. I looked them all up online (because I know nothing of college football except for the Utah teams) and made my decisions based on whether or not I liked their mascots. :D Then I was told that I had to donate 10 cents so that the winner could take all the money put in and buy themselves a soda or candy bar from the break room when all was over. Hahaha. Such exquisite incentive!
I left to take a short break, and when I got back to my desk I found that one of my coworkers was sitting in my chair! I was taken quite by surprise. Quite. And then he just sat there, smelling my candle, looking at my pictures; but the only thing I cared about was the fact that he was still sitting, which means I was still standing. And I wanted to sit. XP Aaach. Sitting in my chair! It was so weird. He is odd.
So I have the actual wedding photos to take care of tomoroow at the Salt Lake Temple. I'm excited. They liked the open house pics, and I was more nervous about those than I am of these. I'm so excited. This will be fun! And, I really don't have anything else to add. I think my posts are more entertaining when I'm at work because I'm in more of a cheeky mood. And, well, I'm not at work. :D

Kokomo

2008-08-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

I finished reading Pride & Prejudice yesterday. I spent a whole 5 days reading it. I'm sad now, and need a new book to read. I'm thinking maybe the Grapes of Wrath or A Wrinkle In Time, or something like that. There are way too many awesome books that I have never had the opportunity to read - and some that I HAVE had the opportunity to read, but sadly didn't take it up.

So there's this branch that will send me the note manifest (a piece of paper showing all the notes they have sent in their UPS package and their contents) in hard copy form, (which is how it's supposed to be done) but then they also fax it to me. All I ask is, "What's the point, for heaven's sake!" Maybe they think the manifest will be lost somehow in between them and me, I don't know, or maybe they are bored at their jobs like me, and fax it just ot have something to do. We'll probably never know. Another weird thing...another branch will send my notes in the UPS packages their files go in, (Which they are not supposed to do, but many branches think they are far too superior to be descending to the level of people who follow RULES) so the shipping supervisor brings them to me when she has located them, and there is always a loverly little post-it note on them, which reads as follows:

NOTE CUSTODIAN

NOTE CUSTODIAN

*EDIT* Look, I got another one today! I decided to take a picture for your enjoyment. :D

Notice anything strange? Yeah, I can't figure out why they put "NOTE CUSTODIAN" on it twice, either. It's handwritten, so someone had to write it, which means someone wrote it twice, which means someone is undeniably strange. Maybe they think I don't know who I am or what my job title is, so they make double sure the note gets where it needs to be, since they aren't sending it to the correct recipient in the first place! Oh, to not be surrounded by dopes! Okay, okay, I have another one. Same branch as the first one I mentioned: when something is missing, she will call to ask me to check if it's in the file, etc. etc. Then she will call one, sometimes two more people to ask the same thing, so whoever finds it first, the others will be like, "No, we can't find it, sorry." and the person from the branch will say, "But so-and-so found it for me." then the person who found it will go to the other(s) showing that she found it for us, since ******* asked her to get it, and the rest of us will, somewhat angrily (from the wasting of our time), think to ourselves, "Why did she ask us to look for it, then?" Heavens! There are many more interesting people I have worked with, like the closer from Orlando who sent me a chocolate ear inside the folder of one of the notes on Halloween, the other closer from Dallas who sent me two DVDs for my birthday (yowza), the branch manager who says "Arizona is nice because it's a DRY heat!", or the people in my own office who will never cease to amaze me in some way or another. I'm really very glad my work life is not so dull. Slow and boring at times, but never dull.

I have my follow-up eye appointment today. Hopefully the silly doctor will notice that my eyes have gotten worse and it's not just a swelling of the cornea, unless, of course, my corneas have been swollen for....a year. :D Besides, I have been seeing spots more and more, and that's probably a bad thing. I guess I just want him to tell me that I need surgery, because I know I need it since my eyes get worse every time I go to the doctor, but I don't know if I will ever actually do it unless I am told that I have to. Surgeries frighten me.

I also need a new bed. My futon hurts my back, and I feel it every morning. This particular morning, I could feel the springs in several different places, and I was not comfortable. I'm going to get a tempur-pedic bed thingy. F'sho! Why are matresses so expensive? They are metal, stuffing and fabric. Is it a difficult-to-find fabric? Are they a pain to make? Many times they are more expensive than the bed you buy them for! I'm definitely going to research this.

Oh, some of you might be wondering why the title of this post is called "Kokomo". I'll enlighten you: I tried to think, but came up with nothing, so in absence of a clever and related title for this post, I simply chose to put in the title of the song I happened to be listening to, to save me some time and effort. It worked. And now I even made it relevant.

Will I Ever Learn?

2008-08-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

I felt ridiculously fat this morning. I suspect the 2 burgers, chicken nuggets and fries I ate last night at about 9:30 or 10. I don't know if I love or hate those late-night wendy's cravings. So I've learned that eating destructively large amounts of food late at night is, in fact, a bad thing. Pity. But I didn't let that get to me. Ohhh, no. I went to the gas station for some long-awaited nachos since I skipped breakfast. (I wasn't really hungry in the morning...go figure.) I forgot to bring a lunch, but no bother, the nachos are tiding me over for now. But then management announced that they have cake, pie, cookies and grapes in the break room for the August birthdays. I skipped the cake.....but took a piece of pie (Key lime! Goodness yes.), a cookie, and some grapes, to make myself feel better. I haven't eaten them yet. But mark my words, I will.

Ha! There's one now! See? I feel better about my recent food choices already.

So I'm trying to decide if I'm nervous for tomorrow or not. I have part 1 of the wedding photography job going on, but I know me - I'm very good at not letting something scary bother me until the very very last minute. So basically, I'll be all cool and collected until I get behind my camera. Then with any luck at all I'll be able to actually move my fingers and take pictures that don't suck. I'm telling myself it will all be ok. It will all be ok. It will.

I rearranged the contents of my desk top today. It's nice to have a change. I can't figure out if this new position my computer is in is good or not, but the only REAL reason I moved everything is to eliminate the constant surprise that my coworkers have bene bestowing upon me lately. Now, I can see people before they get here. Muahaha. Well, somewhat. I can only see the tops of their heads bobbing along the wall until they are right here next to me. That's still something.

Ha! I ate all my grapes. they tasted kind of strange. O_o I wonder what kind they were.

Whoa! There are two last names here on my list, right next to each other: RICHARDS and SIMMONS! How awesome is that! I love it when that happens! I've had a TRACY and MASON (Dick Tracy and Perry Mason), a SHAWN and CONNEREY (different spellings, but still cool), a MUSTARD and MAYO (Probably the best ever), and other such fantastically amusing name pairs. I should really write these down....

As a bonus for me being so good today, I'm going to see if I can leave early, since I'll have all my hours in at 3, and absolutely nothing left to do. At least, none of the joyful mortgage note activities that I get paid to do. :D Ciao, baby!

All Hail the Freeloader Fork

2008-08-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

That's part of my birthday gift to my friend. (I don't think he blogs, so I'm safe to post what I got him.) Behold! (were you somehow able to see it) The Freeloader Fork! Made of the finest in sterling silvers, the handle extends up to 2 feet, enabling its user the utmost ease in carefully and delicately relieving food from his company's plates from a safe and comfortable distance. It can also be used as a backscratcher, or a pointer thingy for boring office meetings. I'm sure many more uses are to be discovered, but that's all they put on the back of the box. I also got him other, more conservative gifts to be thoughtful. And then a can of ravioli. :D I'm quite excited.

Speaking of stealing food, I pilfered some chocolate from the final docs department. Shh! Don't tell.

So I found a website where I can read books online. I began Pride & Prejudice yesterday, and I've read about 18 chapters. I wish that I could boast about so great an accomplishment in such a short time, and while working, nonetheless, but I don't believe the chapters are very long. :D Pity. It's a very agreeable book, and yes, reading it has made me feel like I have a certain air about me, and that I should grace everyone in my company with my accomplished speech and use of distinguished vocabulary. Haha. I should have just been born back then, I suppose - being surrounded by men in breeches would easily put me in a constant state of enraptured stupidity. Sounds like bliss, don't you agree?

By the way, thank you all for commenting on my posts - It makes me glad to see that you enjoy reading into my life, as uninteresting as it is. :D

GAH! I've lost my contact lens somewhere in my eye!

Lemonade and Brownies

2008-08-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

That's what I'm eating. It's true. And delicious. Are you jealous?

So, I might have another wedding photography job! I just got in touch with an old friend from junior high who's getting married to another friend. I haven't seen them in ages. They will be quite the interesting couple. Anyway, she would like me to photograph their wedding, they just don't know when they're getting hitched. I wonder if this wedding photography thing will really take off. I don't want to photograph weddings exclusively, especially since I am more into fine art photography, but this IS Utah, for heaven's sake. I think this might be foreshadowing though. Me photographing weddings as a career must mean that I myself will never marry. Kind of like that Wedding Planner movie. Except I'm no Jennifer Lopez. Thank goodness. And she DOES get married, doesn't she? Oh well, I've never been one for chick flicks.

My printer pal has started talking to me again. Ever since I told him he had a nice shirt it was like he was avoiding me. It was weird, but funny. Men. He was gone for a week, sure, but he still didn't talk to me when he was here. But he came back Monday, and yesterday at the printer he said my hair was cool. :D Rock on. But I wish he were LDS. :-(

My friend's birthday is this weekend and I don't know what to get him. I usually don't have problems finding gifts for people, (If I must say, I am an excellent gift-giver) but this has been difficult for some reason. And the butthead is taking ME out on a date on his birthday. I don't understand that. I said I'd take HIM out but noooooo he has to be all gentlemanly. Hopefully I'll find something good for him today after work. He's pretty easy to shop for, but I don't have a lot of time. And I have another friend who's birthday was Sunday. I need to get her something too, even though she told me not to. Bwahaha.

So today I'd like to stand and share with the group.
Hello. My name is Heather, and I am a blogging addict. I use blogging as an activity to keep me occupied at work, but I fear that it will grow in the coming months into something I can't control. Thank you.
*Well done, Heather. The first step to recovery is recognition.*

Picture Quiz

2008-08-19T08:32:00.001-07:00

I shall post again today, since I've been wanting to do this quiz thingy ever since I saw it on a friend's blog. Answer the questions, but instead of writing the answers, google image your answer and post the picture you like best to match the question!

Best Friend's Nickname

Past Love

(I didn't put anything related to video games, which makes that so funny)

Past Pet

Place I Was Born

College Degree

First Name

Screen Name

Place I Most Want To Visit

Middle Name

Grandma's Name

Favorite Thing To Do

Favorite Object

First Job

Where I Live Now

Last Name

Bad Habit

What I Am Doing Right Now

Favorite Color

Favorite Animal

Favorite Food

Age

Five Things I Luuurrve

2008-08-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

I was tagged for a quiz thingy and didn't even know it until now. O_o So here I go! And I tag all of you who are reading this. All of you. Except the ones who have done it already. Here are 5 things I love: (you do the same)

1. Music - There has never been a time in my life or a feeling in my heart that I couldn't match with the perfect song. I've spent so much of my time finding new artists, and it has most often yielded pelasant results. I listen to everything in the spectrum of the music world. (Some considerably less than others, like country, rap....polka) I have also spent most of my life wielding some sort of instrument - violin, guitar, bass, piano. Unfortunately I'm not good enough to create music of my own worth listening to...but then again I've never really tried. I'd like to get to that point eventually. :D

2. Art - "Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~ Pablo Picasso. Art has always been an outlet for me, and I've enjoyed everything about it, whether it be googling some artist or another, reading a tutorial on how to create the effect of light with a pencil, or just making dorky comic strips in high school. :D I haven't done much on the creating end lately, and it makes me sad. I even bought supplies to start oil painting, something I've wanted to do for quite a while.

3. Men - What? You can't say you didn't expect this one. Men are fantastic!

4. Languages - for me, there is so much power in learning another language, and let's face it, power is cool. Beside the fact that you are stretching your own knowledge of what you know and have known your whole life to accomodate for something entirely different, it's comforting and empowering to know that you can be a bridge between cultures.

5. The Gospel - There is so much I could say about having the Gospel in my life and how it has altered my life for the better every single day. I'm so blessed to know that I'm taken care of for eternity. :D

I want to put other things on here, like photography, food, shoes...but alas....only 5.

Ode to a Monday

2008-08-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

More like a dirge, actually. To quote a comic I remember from my childhood: "Whoever invented Mondays should be dragged into the street and shot."
Well, sorry, but that would be the guy upstairs, and I daresay He can't be shot. So the creation of the Earth began on a Monday, I guess they can't all be bad. :D

Lucky me, I'm covering for the other note person today, and by the looks of it, since I'm here, posting, I still have extra time to waste! This is very amazing to me. Granted, this is a slow period and things will speed up soon, but heavens! Being bored sure gets boring quickly. :D A buddy told me to read books online, something I have been trying to do but couldn't find a decent website. Google books, apparently, is where I want to go. Or something like that. After I do a bit of real work I'll check it out. That way I can read while doing nothing, and yet, still look like I'm doing something! Cool beans.

Yes, I realize it's the beginning of a new week and I haven't put up a new photograph. Too bad. I might put one of the SL Temple up later today; we'll see. I was there Saturday mostly to take sample pictures of good wedding photo spots, so I wasn't focusing too hard on photos for my personal arsenal. I could pull out an old one, perhaps. I'm itching to do some glamour shots or something though. I need to hold another photo shoot.

I dyed my hair over the weekend. I am now a brilliant brunette. It's pretty cool - now my hair matches my eyebrows, haha. If I ever get around to taking pictures (or having someone else take pictures) of me, (har har) I'll put one up and you can all see (those of you who don't see me regularly).

Hahahahahahahaha!
OK.
This guy who lurks somewhere in my building (I don't know where) just sent out an email to EVERYONE in the company, (branches and all) and guess what the email is about? Grammar. Yep. He apparently won some sort of award somewhere that tells him he's smart and he is now going to be sending out emails to all of us to help us (or rather, those of us who need help) with the spelling, grammar, structure and whatnot of our emails. In a way, I'm very very glad, because heaven knows there are people who work here who couldn't spell to save their lives, but then again, it all seems kind of silly. However, I think I'm mostly just amused. It's kind of fun. And yet, disturbingly sad...

P.S. today's "lesson" is on affect vs. effect. Oooooooer.

Woot I finally locked in a date with the busiest man on earth! I told him he'd have to make time for me or else I'd be convinced that I'm ugly and unfit for human socializing and will live out the rest of my days in a cave somewhere. (I don't think he believed me :D) But he said he was actually planning to ask me to do something this weekend. I don't know how true that is, but whatever.

There's something unidentifiable floating in my cup of water. (I've misplaced my bottle, else I wouldn't have this problem. : ( sadness)

Lurve.

What REALLY goes on in the Single's Ward

2008-08-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

I love mingles. :D My table rocks. And I had a good VT lesson today. After all the goofiness and nickname-building, of course.

So after the mingle and before Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, I went to my neighbor's house to get some of his photography equipment that he's letting me play with, and got stuck there for about an hour looking at his prints of rodeos and dancers. He's pretty good. I'm glad he was able to show someone his stuff; he seems like he misses it.

I went for a jog today for the first time since last November, and hoo-boy, my thighs are still stiff! I should stick to biking.

And the most exciting thing about today (I know what you're all thinking - it will be difficult to top everything else!) I'm thinking that I might sign up for a class or two for the fall semester. That starts next week. :D I love whims.

Going...Going......Gone

2008-08-15T22:52:00.001-07:00

I believe I have ruined my chances yet again.....and I don't even know what I did! Funny how that happens. Well, no, not funny. Ridiculous is more the word I'm looking for.

European mountainside, here I come.

I'm A Designer!

2008-08-15T12:01:00.001-07:00

I'm bored today at work, (surprise!) so a coworker sent me here to design a room for the Pier 1 $1000 giveaway. I designed a room, and you should all vote for me so I can win the $1000 and spend it on cool stuff for a house that I will probably never have.

http://pier1.eprize.net/uroom/index.tbapp?page=gallery

Just search for my email address to find it: bellapazzo@hotmail.com

Hip hip huzzah!

You can design your own room here:

http://pier1.eprize.net/uroom/index.tbapp?utm_source=Pier1&utm_medium=Pier1&utm_campaign=Pier1

I wish there was more of a variety in the stuff you could use, but it was still fun, and wasted about 20 minutes of my time. (Mostly because the cursor sucks. :D)

Lurve!

A Follow-Up From The Branch

2008-08-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

Remember the Gum Fiasco I had a little while back? Gum Fiasco #1, I believe it was. Anyway, I had to post a little follow-up regarding it. Today in the mail, I got a package from that one branch who sent me gum before that I gave away, with a new pack of gum inside and a sticky note attached that said, in large, bold letters, "Gum for Heather". Hahaha I was so amused, and it pretty much made my day, since I've been a little frustrated. As if you couldn't tell from the previous post. :D

Grrr!

2008-08-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GAH GAH GAAAHHHH!!! ARGH!!!! AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!
Grrrrr

These Are Gravely Overdue

2008-08-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

I look quite like a librarian today. It's kind of fun. Dang, it would rock so hard if I worked in a library. One of those old-fashioned libraries. Or a university library. Well, I'd be happy with any library. Moving on.

I would be in such a lousy mood today if I didn't have such a good time last night. Meaning I got 3 1/2 hours of sleep and am sick from eating nothing but oreos and nutty bars. :D But it was so nice to go out with him, it doesn't matter. No snoggage though. I would have if I weren't so chicken. Mark my words, I will get myself on the snogging scale, if it's the last thing I do! And that might not be too far from the truth. Not that kissing somebody would kill me, but that it will take me so long to get one that I'd be old and near dead anyway. :D Har har har.

So I have my guitar lesson tomorrow and I haven't practiced yet. Crap.

And today at 7:30 I have a meeting with the people whose wedding I'm photographing. I'm wondering if I will have time to take a nap AND practice guitar before then. Probably not. Oooer. I got it - I'll take a nap before I go to the meeting, then I'll be able to stay awake for a bit before I get tired again (like...an hour; two, tops. haha) so I'll practice guitar after the meeting, before bed. Yep. That sounds like a winner.

I also have my eye doctor appointment today at 4. I hope that doesn't cut into my nap time. O_o My left eye is worse again, and I see spots more than I ever have before. I'm thinking they might tell me that I need lasik. I want it anyway, but I'm poor, and afraid of surgeries. But I'd rather not have to worry about my eyes getting worse every 6 months. Maybe I have some terrible eye disease. Bwahaha my mother was convinced that I was going to die yesterday, since I sleep with my eyes part open, and that's a sign of this incurable disease that this kid died from. Yeah, that's what happens when you google something; you get every possible definition of the thing. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to die. Apparently lots of people sleep like that. It's just weird, that's all. I can live with that.

Heather, Ace Detective - Maybe

2008-08-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

Another day, another adventure in the grey-upholstered, floursecent-lit world I work in. Today I got to play super-sleuth. The situation: Our victim, a small, defenseless note, was noticed missing at approximately 12:16 p.m. Those who had accompanied it and guaranteed its safe passage could not account for its whereabouts. I, being the ace detective that I am, and reputed far and wide for my unmatched skills in the art of discovering foul play, was naturally called upon to assist in the case.

Suspect #1: Myself. I have been known to have lost a document or two in the depths of my desk, startlingly cluttered as it can be at times. But after a thorough investigation of every nook and cranny surrounding me, I was able to deduce that I was not, in fact, responsible.
Suspect #2: The delivery boy. (Closer by day - kidnapper by night?) After extensive questioning, he claimed that he had searched his car and the floor outside his building in a frenzy when he found out it was missing. I myself walked outside into the bright daylight to check the grounds and under vehicles to see if it was a mere mistake. I did not find it, but a gut feeling tells me this kid is not the culprit.
Suspect #3: The shipping supervisor. (Petty thug or thief extraordinaire?) The delivery boy had taken her a file and thought that maybe our missing note was hidden beneath its manilla covering, like the sweet filling of a jelly donut. Or had she stolen it? Further investigation would be sure to unearth some motive or another.
Suspect #4: The Payroll department. (Mafia of the mortgage world?) The branch manager suggested that perhaps the delivery boy had stuffed the missing note in the inbox for the payroll department in his haste to return to his job. A quick run-over at the receptionist's desk revealed nothing of the sort. Unless someone from the payroll department had noticed the misplaced note early on and had taken advantage of the mistake, no doubt with the intent to use it as blackmail to up their chances of advancement or perhaps a fatter Christmas bonus in their bank account.

Exhausted from the day's hard work, I finally sat back down into my familiar faux-leather chair to begin putting the pieces together. I had not been in my own thoughts for 10 minutes when a member of the funding team found me in my frustrations. What she had for me was truly startling: Our missing note!

And so, needless to say, all was made right again. The corporate world resumed its menial tasks and mundane procedures, but they did it with a greater sense of security, knowing that Heather, Ace Detective, would always be on the case.

All that's left to say is, this was a job well done.

Summer Days?

2008-08-10T20:47:00.000-07:00

Ok so I said one a week, but I have been photoshop-happy, so here's another picture that I took. (and edited)

I have been calling it Summer Days, but that's kind of overused. Any suggestions? :D

A Warm Welcome

2008-08-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

I finally got to go back to my own ward today. :) I missed them. And so, during the mingle, a bunch of us were sitting together, talking about stuff. Naturally. The conversation turned to names, because there were two of us Heathers there at the table. I started talking about how a heather is a flower that doesn't exactly smell the best. So everyone started putting their two cents in, of course, about me being smelly. "At least Heathers are pretty!" someone mentioned. So then another friend suggested making me business cards that simpy said: "Heather. Stinky but pretty." Then that thought spread to other things like t-shirts, and now I will be forever known as the stinky but pretty one. Hahaha. It could be worse. But that conversation went on a lot longer than I would have imagined, and I have a feeling that it won't end for a while, especially since others kept coming to our table, no doubt wondering what the commotion was, and now half the ward is probably "in on it". I then proceeded to inquire of my other friends, asking if I smelled bad. I got mostly weird looks.

Aside from that, here is my very first photograph that I'm going to be putting up here. It's one that I actually took at a family party of my little sister showing me the candy she got. I don't know why, but I really like it. I decided to play in photoshop so I desaturated everything but the candy. I think it's rather fun. :D Let me know what you think.

And! I have a hot date this week. :D

Hello! Lovely Silly

2008-08-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend everybody go to the link on the right-hand side of my page for Engrish.com. It's the most hilarious website ever, seeing as how it's all about the dreadfully sad bits of English text found in other countries. Something tells me that their translators didn't really speak English fluently. Or...at all. A lot of it kind of looks like someone just picked up an English dictionary and tried to form complete sentences using their own sentence structure, like many people do. Others are just portraying the fetish for random English words that foreigners seem to love - apparently the same way Americans enjoy, say, Japanese characters on their clothing without actually knowing what it says, according to my sister, who went to Japan. But the results, as shown in the website, are destructively hilarious. :D Feel enjoy!

Want to know how much people love me? Well, certain people, at least. One of my friends apparently values my friendship so much that I can call her an elephant (not....directly, of course) and she will not even argue! This is truly an amazing gift!

I haven't heard from the man of my dreams for a while. At least I think he is the man of my dreams. He certainly is my type, and I think if I were to get him into some breeches like Mr. Darcy, I would be perfectly content for life. I'm wondering though if he really feels about me how I have been hoping he does. I dunno, I'm trying to not let myself get too attached, but it's kind of difficult. :) It's always the guys I want that I have a hard time actually getting. Everyone else won't leave me alone, but the one I want, noooooo, he can't be a good boy like the others. And more than once it's been this way. What is with that?

My guitar lesson was pretty cool; I'm excited to continue my skills. (or, rather...GET some skills) I was a little sad though when I cut my nails so that I could play. Stupid, I know, but longer nails make my hands look less manly. :D By the way, I found the bass guitar I want. Hohohoooo so cool. It's a nice starter bass, so it's pretty inexpensive, and comes with an amp. And it's red. Perfect. What I'd REALLY like to get is a stand-up bass, but I'm not rich. And I think after I get pretty decent at the bass I will go for cello. Cellos are sexy. Sexy-awesome. I want to be able to play some Apocalyptica songs one day. :D

I'm just about finished with the comic strip I did for a friend. It's pretty dang amazing, except the motorcycle looks a little funny. But it's a comic strip, who's going to care?

Not him, I hope. O_o

Wasting Away In An Idle Stupor

2008-08-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

I'm bored.

There's not enough work here.

And I'm trying to sort through some old stuff so that I can actually claim some accomplishment today, but the website I need is down. Of course.

That leaves blogging. Unfortunately nothing much has happened since yesterday. I did some shopping, started a new book, sat in a massage chair, and ate some muffins. Hooplah. Let me instead bring up something that I want to do in the near future:

I have wanted to do something like this for a while, and some of my friends have started it, so I don't see why I shouldn't. I'd like to merge my love of photography and design into my blog somehow, so I'm thinking that maybe once a week I will post some photograph I have taken specifically for the purpose of capturing something that I find beautiful and sharing it. There are a few photo shoots that I have been wanting to direct, but I can't do that until I have space for them in my section of the house, so for now I'll just take my camera with me everywhere and see what I can come up with. :D Hopefully you all can appreciate and enjoy the simple things that I do, in photograph form. Feel free to leave comments or critiques when I begin (I know some of you are photographers as well, and just love this kind of stuff. :D)

On a side note, I'm not sure how crazy I am about this back corner desk anymore. Yeah, it's great for privacy and stuff, and the fact that I am against a real wall instead of other cubicle walls makes me kind of feel like I have an actual office and therefore makes me feel more important, but it is a lot easier for people to sneak up on me because my peripheral vision is limited. Most people don't mean to do it, but then there are those like one of my friends here who enjoys hiding around the corner, waiting for me to walk out and unexpectedly see her there, lurking in wait. Ha ha ha. Very funny indeed.

Oh look, now the entire system is down. "You are not authorized to view this page."

Wanna bet? Stupid server.

Thoughts

2008-08-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be serious here for a moment. I have been thinking, and about a lot of things. I need to put my thoughts into words to stay sane.

I have been noticing some things lately:

1. Change is difficult for me to accept. I have a sort of fervor toward things new, so why is it so difficult to take hold and accelerate those changes? Or at least to not start them and then be afraid to commit to them? I suspect fear, plain and simple. The funny thing about fear is that there are so many different forms, levels and layers of it that you can spend your whole life with it and not even notice. It's so easy to cover up and push aside; even to accept and justify, but what is it really keeping us from? I have missed out on an unfathomable amount of opportunities in my life that could have done me loads of good and given me invaluable lessons, all because I did not want to come out of the safety net that held me near the things I am familiar with. And I mean the little things too. I could have been concert mistress in junior high. I could have won spelling bees or science fairs. I could have taken those dance classes and right now could be really fantastic at something that I love to do. I could have more friends, more relationships, more connections, more talents, more experience, more confidence and more fun if I would just let go of that tiny sliver of fear that keeps me from being who I really am.

2. I have been very diligent in keeping my expectations low so as to not be disappointed when things don't turn out in my favor, but for the first time I realize how difficult it is to loosen my hold on something I've already set my heart on.

3. I have always thought that I don't care what people think about me, but I really do, and I want them to think good things.

4. I have never in my life been so bemused as to which career path I should take. Ever. And I can't shake the feeling that I am running out of time.

5. I have heard it said that things can become most difficult when you are on the right path in your life, so I'm hoping that all of this signifies a happy ending, granted I stick it through.

And 6. I have never been more grateful and relieved to have the Gospel in my life and to know that it will all work out.

Insecurity

2008-08-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

Somebody please tell me: how does one convince themself that the nice things people say are true? Shouldn't it be natural to assume that they are, without doubting them, because they are kind? Hmmm.

On a different note, today is pay day. :) And I have a little laugh for you:

Funny work conversation today:

Coworker 1 (to Coworker 2): I hope you get eaten by a 10 foot-inch snake.
Me: Foot-inch?
Coworker 2: Don't ask questions, Heather.

Two Gum Fiascos in 20 Minutes

2008-08-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

Fiasco #1: In one of the UPS packages I received in the mail today, someone from one of our branches put a pack of gum in with my regular mail, as well as some stuff she wanted me to transfer to another employee in my building. Since I do not normally get treats from the branches anymore, I assumed the gum was for the coworker, and so gave it to her. However I found out that the gum was intended for me, and now I feel really really bad for giving away a present. I wanted that gum, too. *pout* I rarely get treats, and when I do, I give them away like a doofus. I am saddened. And so, to further illustrate this doofusness, I will go on to Fiasco #2: My friend gave me a piece of gum before I got my packages in. Chewing away happily, I began to go through my notes, making sure they are originals and drawn up correctly and what not. While double-checking a particular signature that did not look original, I let my mouth hang open just slightly and there went the gum, right on the note! (which WAS original, by the way.) After staring in horror at my idiocy, (These are original notes - the $$ of the loan, and if I ruin one I am officially stupid.) I was able to realize that the gum was not stuck to the paper at all and I was saved. So, nothing truly extraordinary really happened, but blog-worthy nonetheless.

Oh! And I figured out why my posts are mostly about work. You ready to hear this?

........

It's because I have no life.

I Need Front Row!

2008-08-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Dave Matthews is coming in August. Well, the Dave Matthews BAND is coming in August, but obviously, Dave Matthews is the only one I'm interested in, since he has the sexiest lips known to man. (His music is good too :D) I want to go more than I want food or air, but it's a bit expensive. However, I think I will just have to pay for the good tickets anyway, seeing as how I am going to be throwing him my panties.

Musings

2008-08-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

First off, the funeral for Lucas was absolutely beautiful. I'm going to miss him terribly, but I'm so glad his battle is over and he's in the safety of Heavenly Father's arms. :)

So BYU has a language program that sounds interesting. I just might end up going there after all. Now I just need to find a job that will pay for my schooling. :D haha! I have been looking for houses/apartments down there though; I'm getting pretty excited, we'll see what happens.

(Gah, I have eaten so many tootsie rolls today, and it's only noon.)

So, I wish to express my confusion concerning the male mind. I will never understand it. There's this guy at work who I would flirt with at the printer and who I was told was interested in me, so one day I tell him how awesome his shirt is, and he hasn't talked to me since. ..... Hello? what does that mean? I don't get it. Good thing I lost interest in him or else I might go crazy overthinking it and wondering what was so blatantly obvious about his shirt that was so terribly wrong I should have noticed and never commented on it in the first place or something. O_o I could go on for days on the subject of male minds, but it hurts thinking about it.

I start guitar lessons this coming Thursday. I haven't taken lessons since high school - a friend of the family is teaching me in exchange for violin lessons. How utterly terrifying. I haven't played violin much since I graduated high school, and even then, I switched to guitar and bass my senior year, only playing violin for the musical. Needless to say, I don't have much confidence in the teaching area. Though I did ok teaching two of my siblings, they are younger. I don't know how to teach adults. We will see what happens I guess; I just hope I don't teach something entirely incorrect. I don't want to be responsible for corrupting someone. yikes. How does Chelsea do it? Teach, I mean. She is a brave soul. I think the reason I am not so interested in violin much anymore is mainly because of the music I am given. I feel so good when I pick it up and play, but I get bored with classical repertoire, and I just give up. I need to find some truly awesome music - then hopefully I'll get into it again.

(One more tootsie roll)

August already! I am photographing a wedding at the end of the month, -scary!-but I think I will do pretty well. I'm going to have to go to the Salt Lake temple and scout out some photo-worthy spots soon. I'm excited to use the eternity pool thingy. Is that what it's called? Anyway, I think it will be fun, but I have to get my mean on - I'm going to have to fight all sorts of other couples getting married for the good picture places. Someone in my parents' ward used to do portraits, so he has some equipment for me to use. Yay, saved! I'm so relieved; I was very unprepared for this job. Well...I still am. No worries though, I'm pretty good at winging it and making it look like I know what I'm doing. :D

I was discussing my future wedding with my mother yesterday, (Don't worry, I will still probably end up a hermit, though I can now admit that I don't really want to.) and we decided that an excellent first dance would be "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard, one of the greatest bands to grace the earth. Yes yes that's right, I am totally having a rock and roll wedding. Big sunglasses, leather, dark red and grey everything, guitars, and lots and lots of loud music. It will pretty much be the best wedding ever. Now for a man... haha

I better get back to work. :) Lurve

I have a Terrible feeling all my posts are going to be about work

2008-07-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

I, one of total: 3 people, am at work right now.

......

On July 24th.

......

A frickin' HOLIDAY.

......

But it's only a state holiday, which means I will not be behind tomorrow like everyone else. Plus, my boss says I get to leave early tomorrow. :D

......

Suckers.

Back To Work

2008-07-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

Back to work after two vacations in a row is precisely the way to put a damper on anyone's day. And to make it worse, my friend has decided to burden me with his romantic struggles as of 20 minutes ago. Tell me one thing, those who know me even slightly: Do I, in any way, look like someone who knows anything about relationships? I mean come on! I would love to help, really I would, but this is coming from the man who declares to everyone that I am an emotional iceburg. So why does he ask me how to handle heartbreak? We will never know. I told him to go play darts with the boys and move on.

As for my vacations, they were sehr sehr wunderbar! Yellowstone July 11-14, and Cedar City July 18-20. I drove the entire time for both. O_o Waugh. I think my spine has curved a bit more. Just what I need. But, overall, it was heaps good. (That was for you, Em.) I got one of the most painful sunburns I have ever experienced, which I got to peel this weekend, and it was so much fun. I also got to see 3 miles worth of geysers, as well as elk, a coyote, and a couple buffalo. I swear, buffalo have no regard for people who have to wait and wait and wait for them to cross the road, wasting thousands of dollars of gas. But I enjoyed seeing them anyway. Then I got to see the southern branch of the sexiest family to ever walk the planet. I am very grateful to my aunt and uncle for letting us hooligans stay there, and for feeding us and everything! The play was fun too. The Taming of the Shrew. Goodness, that woman has a set of lungs.

Also, I must take a minute and express my undying and unconditional love for the new Batman movie, which I saw at the 12:01 Friday morning showing. (Bwahaha yes I love to brag about it.) Let me just say:

I will never love any man as much as I loved that movie.

Well, maybe that's not entirely true. But I suspect I am pretty darn close. I recommend the movie to everyone except young children, and maybe aichmophobes, batophobes (haha! Pun not intended), dementophobes, dikephobes, nyctophobes, and....well, you get the idea.

-INTERRUPTION- Gaaawwwwsh I hate it when coworkers stare at you as you come out of the bathroom.

So anyway, before I sign off for the day, (I think my shoes are cutting off the circulation to my toes, and they should probably be attended to) I will pose a thought:

Since I got back from Yellowstone, I could smell a change in the air. (And don't worry, this was AFTER I showered for the first time in 4 days.) I'm not sure if it's just because I am craving a change or what, but either way, it needs to happen, and I think I need to get away. So I want to move and finish school, and I have been thinking Utah Valley University; I would be thrilled to go to the one in Heber, but they don't have my study program. So Provo. Perks: 1. Not too far away. (can still visit the fam and friends from the single's ward.) 2. Lots of young people. 3. Lots to do, as far as outdoor stuff and culture. 4. My work has a branch there so I could try to get transferred. 5. That is where BYU is, which means there will be LOTS of work for my intended profession as a wedding photographer. :D I have also been thinking about minoring in linguistics, since I have always had a knack for languages. So, UVU's pretty much the only school I have heard would be really good for my major and not too far away, so if any of you have any suggestions on a good place to get a degree in those fields, I would greatly appreciate it.
Lurve!

Confessions of a Peculiar Person

Catch-Up

On Valentine's Day

Hum

Sexycoat

Trebuchet, Bold and Gray

*sniff*

12:14

Yellowstone

New Wedding Pics

This One's For You, Brian!

A New One

Back in Black!

I Really Wanted That Thing

Phwoar!im cookies.

Hello!

Achtung!

There's A Spider On The Wall...

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Has It Really?

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth

I Have It

Love At First Sight?

You'll Never Believe It!!!

Frustrating

It's All About Werewolves Anyway

TSO

Of Books and Music

Newness of Job

Why I'm Doomed: Part I

Creativity Rears It's Awesome Head

Pro-Integrity!

Tagged!

Happy Checker Checks Out ACV

BaconSalt

Rantrantrant...Rant!

"Weeee are building family fuuuutuuures"

The Smell of Victory and an Irritated Coworker

Meeeowww

Taking Control of the Fly Population

Toasties!

Oh bother...

Real 50

50

Mountain Scene-riffic

Co-Worker Convo

According To Plan

Haha

Disappointment

Passing the Time

Happiness Is

Hoo Boy

Hibernation Would Be Nice

Morn of the Peace-Bagels

Ok, so...

BUCK-BUCKAAAAAW

HELP!!!

Momentary Memory Lapse? Nah, It's Just Gone

Blecchh

Tagged!

Odd How That Happens

Arrr, Me Harties

Oh, The Pants

That's It

Part II - Conquered!

10 Cents Toward College Football!

Kokomo

Will I Ever Learn?

All Hail the Freeloader Fork

Lemonade and Brownies

Picture Quiz

Five Things I Luuurrve

Ode to a Monday

What REALLY goes on in the Single's Ward

Going...Going......Gone

I'm A Designer!

A Follow-Up From The Branch

Grrr!

These Are Gravely Overdue

Heather, Ace Detective - Maybe

sniff